Mariah Carey has been named the 2026 MusiCares Person of the Year, cementing her legacy as one of music’s most influential and philanthropic figures. The announcement, made earlier this week, honors not only her three-decade-long career but also her steadfast commitment to uplifting communities through humanitarian work.
Carey will be celebrated at the 35th annual MusiCares Person of the Year Gala on January 30, 2026, at the Los Angeles Convention Center—two nights before the 68th Grammy Awards. The gala, a highlight of Grammy Week, raises funds for MusiCares’ ongoing programs that provide financial, medical, and emotional support to music professionals in need—a cause Carey has long championed through her own outreach.
A five-time Grammy winner and one of the best-selling artists of all time, Carey joins an elite list of past honorees including Joni Mitchell, Jon Bon Jovi, and the Grateful Dead. Yet, this year’s honor carries a deeper resonance: she’s being recognized for using her global platform to uplift and empower.
“Mariah Carey’s influence extends far beyond her remarkable artistry,” said Theresa Wolters, Executive Director of MusiCares. “She has used her platform consistently to provide tangible support to communities, from disaster relief to youth empowerment.”
“Her work exemplifies the values at the heart of MusiCares: creating systems of care that lift people up and ensure music professionals and communities can thrive.”
Carey’s humanitarian portfolio is as layered as her vocal range. She has aided victims of Hurricane Katrina and the COVID-19 pandemic, and founded Camp Mariah in partnership with the Fresh Air Fund, which helps underserved youth discover their potential. Her ongoing efforts in education, health, and social welfare speak to a lifelong mission of giving back.
The honor arrives as Carey marks a new chapter with Here for It All, her first studio album in seven years. Speaking about her process, she recently said told the Associated Press: “I think songwriting has definitely been my outlet for what I need when I’m ever going through something.”
“Whenever I’m feeling like the need to express myself. It’s definitely songwriting.”
Recording Academy and MusiCares CEO Harvey Mason Jr. echoed the sentiment, calling Carey “a true creative force and once-in-a-generation talent.” “Her artistry and her voice have helped shape the sound of our times. We look forward to celebrating her remarkable career on this very special night,” he said.
Since its inception in 1991, the MusiCares Person of the Year event has served as a cornerstone fundraiser, supporting initiatives ranging from addiction recovery to preventive health care and emergency assistance for music professionals. This year’s gala will again spotlight the strong link between compassion and creativity—an ethos Carey embodies completely.
More than three decades into her career, Carey continues to bridge art and advocacy with unshakable grace. Come January, when the industry gathers to honor her, it won’t just be about her chart-topping hits, but about a legacy built on resilience, generosity, and heart.
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