MusiCares Names Mariah Carey as 2026 Person of the Year
Mariah Carey • Photo Credit: Ethan James Green
SANTA MONICA, Calif., October 23, 2025 (ENTERTAINMENT INTERVIEWS) — Nonprofit organization MusiCares, a charity founded by the Recording Academy®, has announced that Mariah Carey will be honored as the 2026 MusiCares Person of the Year. The event will take place on January 30, 2026, at the Los Angeles Convention Center, two nights before the 2026 GRAMMY Awards®.
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The honor recognizes Carey’s career achievements and her long-standing commitment to philanthropic work, including support for disaster relief and youth empowerment programs. Over her more than three-decade career, Carey has sold over 200 million albums worldwide and earned 19 Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 singles, more than any solo artist in history.
“Mariah Carey’s influence extends far beyond her remarkable artistry. 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. 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. 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,” said Theresa Wolters, Executive Director of MusiCares.
“We are honored to recognize Mariah Carey as this year’s MusiCares Person of the Year, 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,” said Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy and MusiCares.
The Person of the Year gala, now in its 35th year, raises funds to support MusiCares programs that provide health and wellness services, addiction recovery, preventive care, disaster relief, and emergency assistance to music professionals. The 2026 event will include a dinner, reception, and tribute concert featuring performances from artists honoring Carey’s music and charitable contributions.
Carey joins a list of previous MusiCares honorees that includes Jon Bon Jovi, Joni Mitchell, Berry Gordy, Smokey Robinson, and The Grateful Dead. The 2026 event will be produced by live broadcast producers Lewis & Clark, led by Joe Lewis and R.A. Clark, and is supported by sponsors including AEG and the Wasserman Foundation.
Tables and tickets are available for purchase at personoftheyear.musicares.org. For more information, visit www.musicares.org.
Source: MusiCares
