What was supposed to be a celebratory moment for Mariah Carey’s illustrious career quickly degraded into a pummeling after fans say she failed to adequately help Stevie Wonder navigate the stage.
The Recording Academy Honors presented by The Black Music Collective and Wonder paid tribute to Carey who was receiving the Global Impact Award.
But after he lauded her for her career accomplishments, fans accused the singer of failing to help Wonder and instead focused on herself.
“Every time we meet and talk, it’s like having a brand new day,” Wonder said. “I thank you for your friendship, your heart and the consistent spirit of love that you show.”
Carey addressed the crowd, saying in response to Wonder, “I will never not get excited to be in the company of your greatness!”
Fans aired out their disappointment by Carey’s allegedly thoughtless actions.
“Mariah was wrong as hell for that,” one user remarked in the comments section of The Neighborhood Talk repost. A second person was equally blunt: “He was thinking about her but she wasn’t thinking about him. I don’t like this.”
Others chimed in on X and YouTube.
“Why she ain’t help him,” one person asked, while another wondered, “Did she forget he was blind?” A third person wrote, “Does she know he even there smh.”
Some tried to sympathize with Carey.
The internet is accusing #mariacarey of snubbing #steviewonder when he tried to hand her the Mic. But I don’t think she noticed him getting the mic for her. pic.twitter.com/1Ep4y2IynJ
— jennifer (@jenny_Esohe) February 3, 2024
Following the awkward and cringe-worthy moment, Carey expressed gratitude at finally winning a Grammy Award.
“When I first started in the music business, I was often told to conform to certain expectations,” Carey said. “I wasn’t encouraged to focus on my love for Black music. It took countless arguments, endless 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 … I discovered a newfound sense of freedom and fulfillment. As I accept this award, I do so with gratitude for all of you here and every person who has supported me along this journey; the fans that have stood by me through thick and thin.”
