Muni Long Defends Tribute to Mariah Carey Amid Viral Backlash
Picture this: a star-studded awards show, a legendary artist receiving accolades, and then a moment that spirals into viral chaos—welcome to the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards. Muni Long took the stage to honor Mariah Carey by performing “We Belong Together,” only to be met with the infamous “side-eye” from Carey that left fans speculating about her approval. In a twist worthy of a reality TV showdown, Long took to social media to clarify the misunderstanding, asserting that Carey had personally invited her to deliver the tribute. “You thought I chose to get on TV and sing a Mariah Carey song? Nobody can sing Mariah’s songs like Mariah,” Long quipped, emphasizing the honor and challenge of covering a vocal titan like Carey. In her rebuttal, she also shared that Carey had praised her performance off-camera, albeit with a cheeky caveat about lighting—“I’m not gonna do that to my girl,” Long said, a nod to Carey’s well-documented obsession with her on-screen appearance.
Despite the viral backlash, which often seems to thrive on misinterpretation, Long expressed gratitude for the moment and her supporters, reminding everyone that the music industry is as much about respect as it is about performance. Carey later reinforced this sentiment, publicly thanking both Long and Tori Kelly, who also honored her with a rendition of “Always Be My Baby.” In an Instagram post, Carey celebrated their talents, proving that even in the face of public scrutiny, there’s room for appreciation and camaraderie. Long’s heartfelt reaction to the moment reveals the complexities of tribute performances—daring to pay homage to an icon while risking the harsh realities of public opinion. It’s an age-old battle: the artist versus the audience, with social media as the battleground.
So, what’s the takeaway here? In a world where every performance is dissected by an audience ready to leap, sometimes it’s best to remember that even icons need love and support. A little kindness might just help us all hit the high notes together.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and People Magazine, The Shade Room, iHeartRadio
Image Credit: Attribution: Retrieved via Creative Commons License from upload.wikimedia.org
