Mariah Carey Explains Why She's Rejecting The ‘Legend’ Title

Mariah Carey is one of the biggest-selling artists of all time, a distinction she continues to add to by consistently breaking music and chart records.

In a new interview, the generation-defining singer reflected on her longevity and why, despite being the perfect definition of the title, she doesn’t like being called a “legend.”

Mariah Carey has been entertaining her devoted legion of fans, affectionately known as the Lambs, for over 30 years, and she is showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon, as she spoke about her massively successful career with Billboard.

“I’ve always worked really hard,” Carey told the outlet about the key to her success, “because I knew [from the start] that I wanted to be here for a long time. The one lesson I’ve learned is to just be true to yourself. And I was fortunate enough to be able to do that. There were some things along the way that weren’t ideal, you know, but here I am.”

The Grammy winner shared that her three goals “to love, heal, and uplift” with her music have remained constant throughout her career.

“I’ve always tried to incorporate messages into my songs like ‘Make It Happen’ and ‘Hero,’” she explained. “It’s just an interesting thing to be able to give back in that way. I didn’t grow up with money. And if you grew up like me, it means even more to be able to give back.”

Despite being widely recognized for her diva ways, both on and off the stage, and for endless hits that other artists would kill for, Carey says that, aside from her resume, calling her a legend isn’t something she embraces.

“Everybody has their own little meanings for what things they say,” she told the outlet. “But I don’t call myself a legend. I’m just still working, still trying hard.”

Fresh off her December 2025 partnership with LGBT+ organization GLAAD to auction off her “Protect The Dolls” jacket to support the trans community, Carey told Billboard that giving back to others is something that everyone should do.

“All of us should do what we can to give back something,” Carey shared. “And it’s also important to do more than that. I get caught up with my schedule sometimes, so it’s not as much as it should be. But it’s still an important part of my life.”

That sentiment also extends to her long-running Camp Mariah program for children ages 12 -15, the same camp that served as the location for her iconic 1995 music video “Always Be My Baby.”

“It’s such a big thing for me because most of these kids have never been outside their own blocks,” the chart-topper said of the three-week camp experience. “That’s why we keep doing it every year. I go up there and talk to the kids so they can learn about the different things they can do in life.”

To promote her recent studio album “Here For It All,” Carey spoke exclusively with Vogue about the new project, her 16th release since her record-breaking 1990 debut.

“I really enjoyed making this album,” Carey told the outlet of the project that features the likes of Anderson.Paak, Kehlani, Shenseea, and The Clark Sisters. “I really went with the flow and let it shape on its own. From start to finish, I didn’t know how it was going to end up—but it worked.”

She also briefly shared what it was like working with Paak, whom she was dating at the time, but the two recently ended their romance.

“When I started working with Anderson .Paak, that was the point where I was like, oh, this is going to be something really interesting,” Carey told the outlet. “He’s fun to work with. He’s an eclectic fellow—very artsy. He comes up with a lot of ideas really quickly, and I love that about him.”

In just a few weeks, Mariah Carey will perform at the Opening Ceremony for the Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, and she shared her excitement earlier this month.

 "I can't believe it," Carey said while on “The Big Tigger Morning Show.” "I have to sing in Italian. It really feels good, especially with having a new album out and everything, to be recognized in that way was amazing."

She will join other acts, including singer Andrea Bocelli. The international event will be available to stream via Peacock and watched live on NBC.

According to Rolling Stone, Carey will be honored at the annual MusiCares Person of the Year celebration, while her fans are speculating if she will actually appear at the Grammys or at least grace the red carpet.

The 68th annual Grammys take place on Sunday, February 1, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.