Mariah Carey, 56, Performs in Golden Bodysuit at the 2025 MTV VMAs – Video & Photos

Glitter, glamor… and gasps: Mariah Carey's dazzling MTV VMAs performance left fans divided in a storm of praise, nostalgia, and stinging criticism.

On a night meant to celebrate music's biggest icons, Mariah Carey, 56, commanded the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) stage in Elmont, New York, on September 7, 2025 — but it wasn't just her soaring voice that had tongues wagging. From Hollywood elegance to a scandalously tight, sequined bodysuit, and from heartfelt nostalgia to mock slap drama, the legendary diva left her audience reeling.

And while her performance was met with deafening cheers inside the UBS Arena, the online world quickly turned into a battleground, where fans and critics alike dissected every note, every look, and every move.

Old Hollywood Opulence Meets Glittering Transformation

The performance began with Carey draped in blush satin, as she exuded the grandeur of a bygone era. Wrapped in a floor-length robe with feathered cuffs, and perched like a queen between two dancers in silky loungewear, she appeared every inch the timeless diva.

In true Carey fashion, the robe came off and revealed a jaw-dropping golden bodysuit that clung to her curves. The sequins shimmered, the neckline plunged daringly, and diamond jewels sparkled beneath the blinding lights.

Her signature honey-blonde curls cascaded in waves as she transformed from elegant siren to glitzy showgirl before the audience's very eyes.

Setting the Stage: Suspense, Glamor, and a Voice That Soared

As the stage curtain rose, Carey sat regally on a plush chair with a glowing vanity mirror placed beside her. With cinematic poise, she launched into one of her latest singles, "Sugar Sweet," which sent chills through the arena, as dancers moved fluidly around her. This set a mood that blurred the line between live concert and music video fantasy.

Every lyric dripped with passion, every note carried her hallmark control. Fans roared as she closed with her iconic whistle register, before the entire tone of the evening shifted.

Suddenly, the beat of "Fantasy" pulsed through the venue, as vintage clips flashed behind a lone dancer. Then — like a phoenix in sequins — Carey re-emerged into the camera's view in her glittering bodysuit. Her voice was unwavering as a seamless fusion of "Honey" and "Heartbreaker" ignited the crowd.

A Campy Callback: Mariah Carey's Iconic Alter Ego Returns

Then came the moment fans couldn’t stop talking about. After Carey sang the opening bars of "Heartbreaker," a dancer dressed in a red, two-piece outfit stepped onto the stage — a clear homage to the bathroom fighting scene with Carey's infamous alter ego from the original 1999 music video.

With dramatic flair, Carey paused and expressed, "Uh oh. Bianca! Eww, why is she here?" before she playfully delivered a mock slap, which prompted the character to fall to the ground. The dancer then clutched her cheek in mock outrage.

The campy skit was vintage Carey — tongue-in-cheek, self-aware, and dripping with diva drama. From there, the show rolled on with a rapid-fire mix of classics and newer tracks, including "Obsessed," "It's Like That," the freshly released "Type Dangerous," and her timeless ballad, "We Belong Together."

Whether belting out high notes or gliding through verses with effortless control, Carey proved she still commands the stage on her own terms — equal parts showgirl and storyteller. But while the audience howled with delight, netizens on social media were far less forgiving.

Online Backlash: 'Toooo Tight,' 'Stiff,' and 'Soooo Awkward'

Social media quickly became a battleground of contrasting opinions, with many netizens taking issue with the star's wardrobe and stage presence.

One viewer remarked, "I think that outfit was extremely tooo tight for her, she didn't look comfortable, her people didn't think too well. It was nice seeing her 😁," while another bluntly asked, "since [sic] when did she get so thick?"

Echoing concerns about Carey's movements, one spectator observed, "she [sic] is always stiff as a board on stage," and another criticized the overall delivery of the performance, describing it as "sooo awkward."

The choreography also didn't escape scrutiny, particularly the playful altercation between Carey and her alter ego.

One unimpressed viewer commented, "Mariah was SO good, but the slap was SO bad," and another took a harsher tone, writing, "I guess she skipped rehearsals. That was the fakest fake slap I've ever seen. Looked like a Tubi movie lol [sic] Give us nothing queen 🤣🤣 #vmas  [...] #MariahCarey."

Still, amid the criticism, many came to Carey's defense and expressed admiration for her appearance. "She looks so beautiful, she really hasn't aged a bit!" swooned an admirer. Meanwhile, others were quick to celebrate her figure.

Bianca's Legacy: More than Just a Joke

Despite the flurry of online chatter, one of the evening's most talked-about highlights — the surprise appearance of Carey's alter ego — wasn't just a theatrical stunt but a carefully embedded nod to a chapter of Carey's own pop culture legacy.

While some viewers may have been puzzled by the dramatic slap or the sudden onstage duel, longtime fans would instantly recognize the reference to her 1999 music video for "Heartbreaker," in which Carey famously portrayed both herself and her fictional foil.

In a 2023 appearance on "The Jennifer Hudson Show," Carey opened up about the origin of the alter ego and the ambitious nature of the video itself. "That is me during the 'Heartbreaker' video," she recalled as Hudson showed a throwback photo, adding, "I had cut off the top of my jeans. I fought my alter ego, Bianca."

Carey explained that she had to perform both characters for the fight scene, a challenge she took on with choreography from none other than Jackie Chan.

When Hudson asked where the persona came from, Carey revealed, "She just came out of nowhere." Speaking in a mock English accent, she jokingly channeled her sassy counterpart, noting that Bianca had said "something very bad" that prompted their iconic bathroom brawl.

So when Carey brought her alter ego to life once again on the VMAs stage, it was more than just a cheeky callback — it was a full-circle moment for the singer who's long blended music, fashion, and self-aware humor into her performances.

Ariana Grande Bows to the Queen

The night wasn't just about theatrics — it ended with a crowning career moment. Carey was honored with the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award — astonishingly, her first-ever VMA win.

Pop darling Ariana Grande presented the trophy. After exchanging sweet air kisses, Grande bowed down before Carey in a show of reverence.

Clutching the Moon Person, Carey quipped about its weight as Grande playfully rushed to help. With a grin, Carey waved her off, ever the diva in control, before showering Grande with love and praise.

She went on to reflect on her past VMA appearances and how deeply connected she feels to the art of creating music videos. Carey ended her speech with an emotional thank-you to MTV and her loyal fanbase.

A Legacy of Reinvention and Resilience

As the applause thundered through UBS Arena, one thing became clear: Mariah Carey remains a force like no other. From sequined glamor and campy theatrics to biting online critiques and standing ovations, her VMA appearance was a reminder that the songbird still reigns supreme.

Her night of nostalgia, drama, and triumph proved once again why she is more than just a singer — she is a living spectacle.