Mariah Carey: Grammys Are Overrated – What She Said
Mariah Carey on the Grammys: ‘Overrated’ But Still Loved
Table of Contents
A Shifting Relationship with Music’s Highest Honor
Mariah Carey doesn’t shy away from speaking her mind, and her recent comments on the Grammy Awards are a testament too that. In a candid conversation on Pitchfork’s Over/Under series on August 14, 2025, the five-time Grammy winner declared the awards show and the awards themselves “overrated.” However, she quickly added a characteristic touch of warmth, stating, “but we love everybody.”
This isn’t a newfound sentiment for Carey.She subtly alluded to her ambivalence towards the Recording Academy earlier this year when accepting the Global Impact Award in February 2024, quipping that she hadn’t seen a “real Grammy” in quite some time.This suggests a long-held perspective on the industry’s recognition of artistic merit.
A Career Defined by Authenticity
carey’s willingness to express her true feelings, even about an institution as revered as the Grammys, speaks to a larger theme in her career: a relentless pursuit of artistic freedom. She recounted her struggle for creative control early in her career,recalling how she was frequently enough pressured to conform to industry expectations and downplay her love for Black music.
“When I first started in the music business, I was often told to conform to certain expectations. I was not encouraged to focus on my love for Black music,” Carey explained, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.”It took countless arguments, endless tantrums – I’ll call them tantrums – and mostly unwavering determination, but, eventually, I was able to reveal my authentic self, as they say, and create music that came from my heart.”
This commitment to authenticity is a core message she delivered while accepting the Global Impact Award. “I accept this award on behalf of every person who has ever felt silenced or marginalized, who has ever been told their voice doesn’t matter. Your truth matters. We will continue to pave the way together for a future where authenticity is celebrated, diversity is embraced, and music has the power to change the world,” she stated.
Beyond the Awards: Carey’s Pop Culture Takes
Carey’s appearance on Over/Under wasn’t solely focused on the Grammys. She also shared her opinions on a range of pop culture topics, including her enjoyment of the reality show