Mariah Carey is addressing the recent buzz surrounding her facial expressions during a heartfelt tribute at the iHeartRadio Music Awards, which sparked a lively discussion online. The talented duo of Muni Long and Tori Kelly took the stage to honor the legendary singer, with Mariah, affectionately known as the Christmas Queen, present alongside her rumored partner, Anderson.Paak.

However, it was Mariah’s diverse range of facial expressions that became the focal point of the event, quickly trending on social media. Following Muni Long’s defense of her performance, Mariah took to her social media accounts to express her admiration for both Muni and Tori Kelly. Additionally, Jamie Foxx chimed in to share his thoughts on Muni’s performance!

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Mariah Carey Expresses Heartfelt Gratitude to Muni Long & Tori Kelly for Their Tribute

On March 19, Mariah took to her Instagram Stories to share a touching message accompanied by a cheerful photo featuring herself, Muni, and Tori, all smiles on the night of the iHeartRadio Music Awards. She tagged both artists in her post, which conveyed her heartfelt appreciation:

“I am so incredibly grateful for these two talented, beautiful, and kind musicians who made my tribute performances at the @iheartradio awards unforgettable. I love and appreciate you both so much.”

March 17 was a monumental day for Mariah Carey as she was honored with the prestigious 2025 Icon Award at the iHeartRadio ceremony. The singer’s twins, Moroccan and Monroe, were also present to celebrate this special recognition.

Analyzing Mariah Carey’s Viral Facial Expressions During the Tribute

Muni Long and Tori Kelly graced the stage prior to the award presentation, performing an array of Mariah’s iconic hits, including ‘Always Be My Baby’ and ‘We Belong Together.’ As the performances unfolded, fans took to social media, reacting to the candid shots of Mariah’s expressions, which shifted from smiles to more serious looks during the tribute.

At one moment, as Muni sang, Mariah’s gaze appeared lost in thought with a serious demeanor. Conversely, when Tori hit some powerful notes, Mariah’s smile gradually faded away. These brief clips ignited a flurry of speculation online, with many questioning the underlying meaning of Mariah’s non-verbal cues. The hot topic became, “Was that shade?” as fans debated her expressions.

Muni Long Clarifies Mariah’s Invitation to Perform, Jamie Foxx Voices Support

Before Mariah addressed the situation, Muni Long took a moment to clarify that critics of her tribute simply do not grasp the nuances of “queen things.” In an explanatory video, she conveyed to her followers (and detractors) that Mariah personally invited her to perform.

“Did you think I chose to sing a Mariah Carey song on TV? That was not my decision! Nobody can deliver Mariah’s songs like she does. I didn’t opt for that; she asked me to perform, and I was thrilled to say yes. Why would I ever decline? I gave it my all, and that’s all I could do.”

Muni also shared that Mariah complimented her performance in person, which for her, was the ultimate validation!

After TSR shared Muni Long’s comments, actor Jamie Foxx joined the conversation, offering praise to the talented singer in the comments section.

“What a world we live in… something as beautiful as a tribute is turned into a goofy mess… the tribute was stunning… muni… was and will always be incredible… those were the days of pure entertainment…,” Foxx expressed.

Apart from the Mariah Carey tribute, Muni Long also celebrated a personal victory at the awards show, winning the R&B ‘Song of the Year’ for her hit track, ‘Made For Me.’ It’s noteworthy that it has been less than a year since she publicly acknowledged her role as a mother, a revelation she made during a performance on Chris Brown’s ’11:11′ tour last August. Despite earlier rumors about her pregnancy in 2022, Muni kept her personal life private. Recently, she mentioned that her son “really enjoyed his special night” at the iHeartRadio Music Awards.

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