Honoring Mariah Carey, the MusiCares gala blended glamour, compassion, and the enduring power of music during Grammy Week in Los Angeles
Last night in Los Angeles, the MusiCares Person of the Year gala unfolded as one of those rare evenings where glamour carried real meaning and music reminded everyone why it matters. Honoring Mariah Carey, the event rose far beyond celebration and became a vivid expression of unity, compassion, and shared responsibility within the global music community.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 30: Mariah Carey accepts an award onstage at the 2026 MusiCares Person of the Year Honoring Mariah Carey on January 30, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.Credit: Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
Mariah Carey was, quite simply, ethereal. Radiant and serene, she appeared more otherworldly than ever, moving through the room with a quiet confidence that reflected both her iconic legacy and her generosity of spirit. Honored not only for an extraordinary career but for a long-standing commitment to giving back, Carey embodied the heart of MusiCares and its mission to support music professionals through moments of crisis, recovery, and renewal.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 30: (L-R) Kesha and Harvey Mason jr., CEO, MusiCares & Recording Academy, attend 2026 MusiCares Person of the Year Honoring Mariah Carey on January 30, 2026, in Los Angeles, California. Credit: Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
Fashion added its own layer of storytelling. Kesha delivered one of the night’s most unforgettable visual moments in a sculptural floral gown by Kilian Kerner. The bold, blooming silhouette felt symbolic, expressive, resilient, and unapologetically alive, echoing the spirit of the evening and the strength found in community.
Jennifer Hudson brought her unmistakable presence to the room, grounded, warm, and quietly commanding, while Rita Wilson added a deeply soulful dimension to the night. The Greek American actress and musician, gifted with a beautiful voice and an authentic artistic sensibility, remains closely connected to the Grammys and the Grammy Museum. Only days earlier, she hosted an intimate and memorable songwriters gathering as part of the Liner Notes series, reaffirming her role as a cherished cultural presence in Los Angeles. On the red carpet, she appeared alongside her close friend Gayle King, whose iconic career and continued excellence in broadcast journalism make her one of the most influential voices in American media today. Together, they radiated intelligence, warmth, and genuine friendship.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 30: (L-R) Rita Wilson and Gayle King attend 2026 MusiCares Person of the Year Honoring Mariah Carey on January 30, 2026, in Los Angeles, California. Credit: Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
As the evening unfolded, attention turned toward the leadership shaping the modern Grammys. Panos A. Panay, President of the Recording Academy, appointed in 2021 alongside co-President Valencia Battlefield Jones, represents a new era of vision and global perspective. In recent years, the Grammys have felt sharper, more relevant, and increasingly impactful, reflecting a systematic and thoughtful approach to celebrating music across genres, cultures, and borders. Under this leadership, the Grammys have continued to elevate talent, foster unity, and resonate far beyond the United States, shaping conversations and careers worldwide.
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With Grammy Week building toward its climax, anticipation now turns to the live Grammy Awards broadcast from the transformed Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The venue has been reimagined to meet the scale and ambition of the year’s most important music event, one that signals not only celebration but momentum, including the much-anticipated return of Justin Bieber to the stage ahead of Coachella.
Yet it was this night, intimate in emotion and powerful in purpose, that truly set the tone. The MusiCares gala was not simply about honoring a legend with so many milestones, like Mariah Carey. It was about humanity, resilience, and the enduring power of music to bring people together, reminding everyone in the room, and beyond it, that when the industry leads with heart, the impact is felt everywhere.