In a revealing new interview with Billboard, global music icon Mariah Carey has displayed characteristic modesty when confronted with the 'legend' label, even as her illustrious career continues to reach unprecedented heights decades after her debut.
Career Peaks and Prestigious Honours
The five-time Grammy winner is preparing for one of her most significant global appearances yet: headlining the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics alongside Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli. This monumental performance represents a new pinnacle in her already extraordinary career trajectory.
Simultaneously, Carey's decades-long dedication to both music and philanthropy will be formally recognised on January 30th, 2026, when she receives the prestigious MusiCares Person of the Year award. This honour acknowledges not just her musical achievements but her substantial charitable contributions spanning numerous causes.
Recent Successes and Financial Triumphs
These forthcoming milestones follow a period of remarkable professional success. Carey recently concluded her Las Vegas holiday residency at the Park MGM, where ten spectacular shows generated an impressive $8 million in revenue.
This commercial triumph was preceded by the September release of her sixteenth studio album, Here for It All, which debuted firmly within the top five positions across multiple international charts, demonstrating her enduring relevance and artistic vitality.
Humble Reflections on Legacy
Despite these accomplishments that undeniably cement her status among music's all-time greats, Carey herself downplayed the legendary title during the conversation. 'I don't call myself a legend. I'm just still working, still trying hard,' she told Billboard with characteristic humility.
Reflecting on the extraordinary longevity of her career, she credited persistent effort and authenticity. 'I've always worked really hard, because I knew from the start that I wanted to be here for a long time,' Carey explained. 'The one lesson I've learned is to just be true to yourself. And I was fortunate enough to be able to do that.'
Acknowledging that her journey hasn't always been smooth, she added philosophically: 'There were some things along the way that weren't ideal, you know, but here I am.'
Philanthropic Commitment and Personal Motivation
With her upcoming MusiCares honour approaching, Carey spoke passionately about the importance of philanthropy and giving back to communities. Over the years, she has supported an extensive range of causes including:
- Disaster relief efforts for Hurricane Katrina and the COVID-19 pandemic
- Advocacy for HIV/AIDS awareness and education initiatives
- Human rights campaigns and work with the Make-A-Wish Foundation
Most recently, she partnered with LGBTQ+ advocacy organisation GLAAD, auctioning her hot pink, rhinestone-studded 'Protect the Dolls' jacket to benefit the transgender community.
'I didn't grow up with money. And if you grew up like me, it means even more to be able to give back,' Carey revealed about her charitable motivation. 'All of us should do what we can to give back something. And it's also important to do more than that.'
She admitted that maintaining philanthropic commitments alongside her demanding schedule presents challenges: 'I get caught up with my schedule sometimes, so it's not as much as it should be. But it's still an important part of my life.'
Unreleased Michael Jackson Collaboration
The interview arrives as Carey has reignited fan curiosity by discussing a long-rumoured, unreleased collaboration with the late King of Pop, Michael Jackson. She clarified details during an appearance on The Big Tigger Morning Show.
'I did a record that Michael had already done,' she explained. 'It's one of his old classics and it's so good, and I just added - we made it into a duet - and they've got a lot of things coming out on Michael, so they didn't want me to use it on the album.'
When questioned about the track's potential future release, Carey expressed hopeful determination: 'I really hope so because I love it.'
In October 2025, during an appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, Carey had previously expressed frustration about the collaboration's shelving: 'I'm so upset it's not coming out on this album. It should be on there. Every time I would play it for somebody, they would say, "Wow."'
She elaborated on the complications: 'There's an issue with his estate because they're doing something really huge for him in the future, and this song we didn't know would kind of usurp that situation.'
Addressing Iconic Pop Culture Moments
Elsewhere in her conversation with Cohen, Carey addressed the enduring legacy of her viral 2003 remark about fellow artist Jennifer Lopez. When originally asked about Lopez, Carey had simply smiled and stated: 'I don't know her.'
More than two decades later, Cohen questioned how this moment became embedded in popular culture. Carey maintained there was no hidden meaning: 'The thing is, I was being honest when I said it, so I don't know how it became so big. Honest isn't really something that becomes big most of the time.'
When Cohen humorously pressed for clarification - 'To clarify, you still do not know her right?' - Carey responded with a grin and playful deflection: 'How can I suddenly know... like, you know?' prompting laughter from the host.
Throughout the interview, Carey presents as an artist simultaneously aware of her monumental achievements yet fundamentally focused on continued work, philanthropy, and artistic integrity - a combination that perhaps defines true legendary status more accurately than any title could.
