Mariah Carey Named MusiCares Person Of The Year 2026

Mariah Carey (Instagram @mariahcarey)

JAKARTA - Mariah Carey is confirmed to receive the prestigious honor of MusiCares 2026 Person of the Year. This award is planned to be presented on the annual gala night which is scheduled to take place at the Los Angeles Convention Center on January 30, 2026, just two days before the grand Grammy Awards event.

The decision to vote for Carey, which recently launched its 16th studio album titled Here For It All, is based on its decades-long contribution to the music scene, as well as its extensive philanthropic efforts.

His humanitarian involvement includes providing assistance to Hurricane Katrina victims and those affected by the Covid pandemic. Not only that, he is also the founder of Camp Mariah in collaboration with Fresh Air Fund, an initiative focused on helping disadvantaged young people, while promoting progress in the fields of health and education.

"We are honored to recognize Mariah Carey as the MusiCares Person of the Year this year, a true creative power and talent that has only appeared once in a generation," said Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of Recording Academy and MusiCares, citing the official website, Wednesday, October 22.

"His art and voice work has helped shape the sound landscape of our era. We are excited to celebrate his incredible career on this very special night," he added.

The "Hero" singer is now on the long list of MusiCares Person of the Year award recipients, an event that has raised funds to support MusiCares' programs since 1991.

The big names that have received similar awards include Grateful Dead, Jon Bon Jovi, Joni Mitchell, Dolly Parton, and Tom Total.

This award confirms that Mariah Carey's influence exceeds her greatness as a singer. Theresa Wolters, Executive Director of MusiCares, also highlighted this aspect.

"Mariah Carey's influence goes far beyond her outstanding artwork. She has consistently taken advantage of her platform to provide real support to the community, either through disaster relief, youth empowerment, or programs that help those who face opportunity barriers," Wolters said.

His work is to exemplify the values at the heart of MusiCares: creating a caring system that raises people and ensures that music and community professionals can develop. Respect it as Person of the Year celebrates its extraordinary musical heritage and its dedication in making significant differences in the lives of others," he said.