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Mariah Carey Through the Years: Photos of the Icon From Then & Now

By:
August 23, 2025 9:56AM EDT
Mariah Carey Then & Now Photos
Ethan James Green 

Mariah Carey has become one of the music industry’s biggest stars! See pics of her over the years here.

Mariah Carey is one of the most powerhouse singers of our time over the years. In addition to her incredible voice and sassy personality, Mariah has also been known for her iconic vocal range. She was just 18 years old when she signed to Columbia Records in 1988, then released her self-titled debut album just two years later. Mariah then became the first artist to have her first five singles go to No. 1 on the Billboard charts.

More than three decades into her career, MTV is about to honor Mariah with the Video Vanguard Award at the 2025 Video Music Awards!

It’s no secret that Mariah has had an illustrious career, and it’s far from over! We’re honoring Mariah by looking back at some of her biggest moments, and seeing how her look has evolved throughout her career. Keep scrolling through to check out the pics!

 

1 of 21

Mariah Carey at the American Music Awards

Mariah Carey at the American Music Awards
Reed Saxon/AP/Shutterstock

A young Mariah Carey celebrates after winning at the American Music Awards. She had curly hair and a frehs face, and she looked amazing in her plunging black outfit.

May 18, 2020, 12:38PM
2 of 21

Mariah Carey In London In 1992

Mariah Carey In London In 1992
Shutterstock

Mariah Carey looks adorable while posing for a photo shoot in London in 1992. She wore a blue and white checkered dress, with her dark brown hair styled in curls for the shoot.

May 18, 2020, 12:37PM
3 of 21

Mariah Carey At The 1991 Grammy Awards

Mariah Carey At The 1991 Grammy Awards
Anonymous/AP/Shutterstock

Mariah Carey is all smiles while showing off her first two Grammy Awards at the ceremony in 1991. She wore a little black dress with strappy heels, and had her then-signature curly hairstyle.

May 18, 2020, 12:38PM
4 of 21

Mariah Carey Performing In 1996

Mariah Carey Performing In 1996
Shutterstock

Mariah Carey looks angelic while performing at Wembley Arena in Britain in 1996. She wore a black princess dress and had her bangs flowing in the wind as she belted out her hits.

May 18, 2020, 12:38PM
5 of 21

Mariah Carey Performing On TV In 2003

Mariah Carey Performing On TV In 2003
Ken McKay/Shutterstock

Mariah Carey shows some skin while performing on ‘And And Decs Saturday Night Takeaway’ in 2003. She wore a crop top and ruffled skirt, and upgraded her hairstyle to a more toned-down look with loose curls.

May 18, 2020, 12:38PM
6 of 21

Mariah Carey Promoting Her Album In NYC

Mariah Carey Promoting Her Album In NYC
Shutterstock

Mariah Carey promotes her album in New York City. She looked too cute in a green dress while posing in front of a giant mural of the album cover.

May 18, 2020, 12:38PM
7 of 21

Mariah Carey Performing In Chicago

Mariah Carey Performing In Chicago
Shutterstock

Mariah Carey takes the stage for a performance in Chicago in July 2003. She wore a bejeweled pink dress and sported super tan skin as she rocked out onstage.

May 18, 2020, 12:39PM
8 of 21

Mariah Carey At The 2005 American Music Awards

Mariah Carey At The 2005 American Music Awards
Jim Smeal/BEI/Shutterstock

Mariah Carey embraced her curves by wearing a form-fitting black dress at the 2005 American Music Awards.The ensemble featured a super sexy mid-section cutout and Mariah wore her hair in long blonde curls.

May 18, 2020, 12:38PM
9 of 21

Mariah Carey Performing On ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’ in 2008

Mariah Carey Performing On ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’ in 2008
Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock

Mariah Carey performs during ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’ in July 2008. She wore a black leather skirt and tights along with a plunging black tank top for a super edgy and sexy look.

May 18, 2020, 12:39PM
10 of 21

Mariah Carey On’ The X Factor’ In 2009

Mariah Carey On’ The X Factor’ In 2009
Ken McKay/Talkback Thames/Shutte

Marhai Carey is all smiles while giving a breathtaking performance on ‘The X Factor’ in 2009. She once again rocked a curve-hugging black dress and long loose curls for the television performance.

May 18, 2020, 12:39PM
11 of 21

Mariah Carey Performing On ‘GMA’ In 2013

Mariah Carey Performing On ‘GMA’ In 2013
Broadimage/Shutterstock

Mariah Carey takes the stage for a sexy performance on ‘Good Morning America’ in 2013. She wore a plunging silver dress which hugged her bombshell figure perfectly.

May 18, 2020, 12:39PM
12 of 21

Mariah Carey At A 2016 Concert

Mariah Carey At A 2016 Concert
Jason Sheldon/Shutterstock

Mariah Carey rocks a very sexy silver bodysuit for her concert in Birmingham, Britain in March 2016. To complete her look, Mariah wore silver heels and tights, and she strutted across the entire stage.

May 18, 2020, 12:38PM
13 of 21

Mariah Carey At The VH1 Divas Holiday Show In 2016

Mariah Carey At The VH1 Divas Holiday Show In 2016
Stephen Lovekin/Variety/Shutters

Mariah Carey performs during VH1 Divas Holiday Unsilent Night in 2016. She channeled a nutcracker in her sparkling red bodysuit with gold embellishments for the performance.

May 18, 2020, 12:38PM
14 of 21

Mariah Carey At The 2018 American Music Awards

Mariah Carey At The 2018 American Music Awards
Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP/Shutt

Mariah Carey poses in the press room at the American Music Awards in 2018. She wore a stunning dark dress which featured a sheer train and lining. For the event, Mariah’s hair was blonde and styled in loose curls.

May 18, 2020, 12:39PM
15 of 21

Mariah Carey Performing At the 2018 AMAs

Mariah Carey Performing At the 2018 AMAs
Matt Sayles/Invision/AP/Shutters

Mariah Carey performs “With You” at the American Music Awards in 2018. She changed out of her red carpet look and into a dramatic pink dress which featured a long train.

May 18, 2020, 1:03PM
16 of 21

Mariah Carey At Variety Power Of Women

Mariah Carey At Variety Power Of Women
Matt Baron/Shutterstock

Mariah Carey looks like a boss at Variety’s Power of Women event in 2019. She wore a sparkling black dress and showed off her amazing figure on the carpet before heading inside.

May 18, 2020, 12:38PM
17 of 21

Mariah Carey At The 2019 Billboard Music Awards

Mariah Carey At The 2019 Billboard Music Awards
Rob Latour/Shutterstock

Mariah Carey sparkles in another black ensemble while performing at the 2019 Billboard Music Awards. She embraced the crowd as she sang during the star-studded show.

May 18, 2020, 12:38PM
18 of 21

Mariah Carey In The Billboard Music Awards Press Room

Mariah Carey In The Billboard Music Awards Press Room
Matt Baron/Shutterstock

Mariah Carey shows off her trophy in the press room at the Billboard Music Awards. She also gave a full look at her sparkling black dress, and made sure to show off the leg slit.

May 18, 2020, 12:39PM
19 of 21

Mariah Carey At The ‘A Fall From Grace’ Premiere

Mariah Carey At The ‘A Fall From Grace’ Premiere
Shutterstock

Mariah Carey attends the premiere of Tyler Perry’s ‘A Fall from Grace’ in New York. She wore a plunging mini dress and tights, along with knee-high boots, for the event.

May 18, 2020, 12:38PM
20 of 21

Mariah Carey At The 2022 Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala

Mariah Carey At The 2022 Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala
Shutterstock

Mariah Carey is pure diva as she speaks at the 51st annual Songwriters Hall of Fame induction and awards gala in New York on Jun. 17, 2022. The songstress, who was being recognized at the event, wore sunglasses, a sparkling dress, and sheer opera gloves for the affair.

June 21, 2022, 1:26PM
21 of 21

Mariah Carey In NYC In 2022

Mariah Carey In NYC In 2022
MediaPunch/Shutterstock

Mariah Carey rocked this skintight sequin mini dress with a rainbow sequin jacket on top while at a screening of ‘Bros’ in NYC with boyfriend Bryan Tanaka. Dazzling!

June 21, 2022, 8:54AM