Mariah Carey Named as MusiCares Honoree for 2026 Person of the Year

The five-time Grammy winner is being honored on Jan. 30, 2026, for her impact both on and off the stage.

Mariah Carey performs at the 2019 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on May 1, 2019. Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Five-time Grammy-winning artist Mariah Carey is set to be honored by MusiCares as its 2026 Person of the Year during its annual Los Angeles fundraiser.

MusiCares, which was founded by The Recording Academy in 1989 and provides critical health and welfare services to those within the music community, named Carey, 56, as its honoree in an announcement on Oct. 22. The nonprofit cited her “extraordinary” music career and her long-standing commitment to supporting underserved communities and people in need.

“Mariah Carey’s influence extends far beyond her remarkable artistry,” MusiCares Executive Director Theresa Wolters said. “She has used her platform consistently to provide tangible support to communities, whether through disaster relief, youth empowerment, or programs that help those facing barriers to opportunity.”

Carey has dedicated herself to various philanthropic causes and remains a staunch supporter of children’s charities. In 1994, she partnered with the Fresh Air Fund to establish Camp Mariah, a summer retreat designed to help inner-city children advance and explore career development.

“[Carey’s] 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,” Wolters said. “Honoring her as Person of the Year celebrates both her incredible musical legacy and her dedication to making a meaningful difference in the lives of others.”

The 35th annual Person of the Year benefit gala will be held on Jan. 30, 2026, at the Los Angeles Convention Center, coinciding with the 2026 Grammy Awards held two days later. Funds raised from the gala will support emergency and disaster relief, along with mental health, wellness, and addiction recovery services.

Joining the likes of Jon Bon Jovi, Berry Gordy, Smokey Robinson, the Grateful Dead, and Sting, Carey will become the youngest woman to receive the honor since 1994, when Gloria Estefan was celebrated.

Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy and MusiCares, referred to Carey as a “creative force and a once-in-a-generation talent.”

“Her artistry and her voice have helped shape the sound of our times,” Mason said. “We look forward to celebrating her remarkable career on this very special night.”

Carey is the best-selling female artist of all time, with more than 200 million albums sold over her more than three decades in the industry. She earned a spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart 19 times with her No. 1 singles, including the holiday classic “All I Want for Christmas Is You.”