Total VMAs Won by Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey has won a total of 5 MTV Video Music Awards as of the most recent ceremony. Her wins span categories including Best Female Video, Best Cinematography, and the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award. She is recognized among the most awarded female R&B and pop artists in VMA history Forbes. Her consistent presence in major categories reflects decades of influential music videos and visual branding.
The five VMA trophies place her among the top tier of legacy acts in the ceremony's history. Compared with other long-running artists, her win rate remains notable relative to her nominations. The awards highlight both her early 1990s dominance and her sustained relevance in later decades Billboard.
Breakdown of Mariah Carey's VMA Wins
Best Female Video
Carey won Best Female Video for "Vision of Love" and later for "Fantasy," cementing her early status as a defining voice of the decade. These wins highlighted her vocal range and cinematic storytelling in debut and sophomore eras.
Best Cinematography and Vanguard Award
She earned Best Cinematography for the visually striking "Honey" video, a win that recognized technical artistry behind the camera. In 2019, she received the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, honoring her overall impact on the medium MTV.
VMA Nominations and Career Context
Beyond her wins, Mariah Carey has accumulated dozens of VMA nominations across categories like Video of the Year and Best R&B Video. Her nominations reflect a career spanning multiple musical eras, from the 1990s through the 2020s.
The VMA record book positions her among artists with both longevity and repeated recognition. Her wins and nominations are frequently cited in retrospectives on the most decorated performers in the award's history Rolling Stone.
