Mariah Carey made a grand entrance at the American Music Awards (AMAs) 50th Anniversary Special on Sunday, October 6. In true Carey fashion, her appearance was anything but understated. As the middle section of a large hot pink ‘M’ on stage opened, Carey emerged in an elegant white gown, adorned with shimmering jewelry, capturing the attention of the audience even before she began to sing.
Carey’s performance of her iconic hit “We Belong Together” was one of the night’s standout moments. The song, which spent 14 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, showcased Carey’s vocal prowess, reminding everyone of her ability to navigate soulful runs and sustain notes that leave a lasting impression. The audience responded enthusiastically, with many singing along and some visibly moved by the performance.
“We Belong Together” is one of Carey’s 19 No. 1 hits, and it played a significant role in her comeback in the mid-2000s. Before taking the stage, Carey sat down with Billboard’s Tetris Kelly for an interview where she reflected on the importance of the song and her 2005 album, The Emancipation of Mimi. “People had written me off,” Carey said. “And the song of the decade with ‘We Belong Together’ — it had to be that big of a record for me to actually have a comeback.” At the close of the 2000s, Billboard named “We Belong Together” the Song of the Decade, cementing its legacy as one of Carey’s most successful records.
Carey’s performance was just one highlight of the AMAs 50th Anniversary Special. Stray Kids also delivered a memorable set, performing their track “Chk Chk Boom” alongside a tribute to *NSYNC. The K-pop group recreated some of the marionette-inspired choreography from *NSYNC’s 2000 AMAs performance of “Bye Bye Bye,” giving fans a moment of nostalgia while adding their own modern flair to the performance.
Smokey Robinson, a co-host of the very first AMAs in 1974, also made an appearance during the anniversary special. Reflecting on the history of the awards show, Robinson shared his thoughts on how the AMAs have evolved over the past 50 years and paid tribute to the artists who have shaped its legacy.
Produced by Dick Clark Productions, the AMAs 50th Anniversary Special was a celebration of the artists and performances that have defined the American Music Awards over the past five decades. As part of Penske Media Eldridge, a joint venture between PMC and Eldridge, Dick Clark Productions continues to uphold the AMAs’ tradition of honoring the best in music. PMC, the parent company of Billboard, brought together an impressive array of talent for this special occasion, ensuring the night was one to remember.