Mariah Carey Clears The Air About Muni Long, Tori Kelly Tribute

Mariah Carey is clearing the air after her facial expressions during a tribute for her at the iHeartRadio Music Awards had the internet poppin’ off. Muni Long and Tori Kelly teamed up to deliver a performance for Mimi. The Christmas Queen was front and center with rumored boo Anderson.Paak.

But so were her various facial expressionsiHeartRadio Music Awards, which quickly went viral. After Muni Long defended her qualification to do the tribute, Mariah Carey praised both her and Tori Kelly on social media. Jamie Foxx also weighed in on Muni’s performance!

RELATED: Oop! Mariah Carey Goes Viral For Her Facial Reaction During Tribute Performances (VIDEOS)

Mariah Carey Says THIS About Muni Long & Tori Kelly’s Tribute 

As mentioned, Mariah hopped on her Instagram Stories on Wednesday (March 19) to share a sweet note along with a photo of her, Muni, and Tori. The R&B singers were all smiles in the image taken the night of the iHeartRadio Music Awards show. She tagged both of them in the post, which read:

“So beyond grateful for these two gorgeous, uber-talented, kind, incredible musicians who made my tribute performances at the @iheartradio awards. I love and appreciate you so much.” 

Monday (March 17) was a BIG one for Mariah Carey, who was presented with the 2025 Icon Award at the iHeartRadio show. Even the singer and Nick Cannon’s twins, Moroccan and Monroe, were at the award ceremony for the special honor.

Recap Of The Viral Facial Expressions

Muni Long and Tori Kelly took the stage ahead of the presentation and performed some of Mariah’s biggest hits, from ‘Always Be My Baby’ to ‘We Belong Together.’ Supporters began acting up on social media after the cameras showed Mariah switching from smiles to other looks during the duo tribute.

At one point, while Muni sang, Mariah appeared to look off into the distance with a serious face. Meanwhile, when Tori Kelly belted a few notes, Carey’s smile seemed to slowly fade. Those lil’ clips had the internet streets going wild with interpretations of what Mariah’s wordless facial expressions could mean. “Was that shade,” seemed to be the HAWT question.

Muni Long Previously Said Mariah Asked Her To Perform, Jamie Foxx Weighs In

Before Mariah cleared the air, Muni Long explained that the critics of her tribute don’t understand “queen things.” In a video, she told her supporters (and trolls) that Carey “asked” her to perform.

“You thought I chose to get on TV and sing a Mariah Carey song? You thought that was my choice? Why would I do that? Nobody can sing Mariah’s songs like Mariah. Nobody. I didn’t choose that. She asked me to do it, and of course, I said yes. Cause why would I ever say no? I did my best, and that’s all I can do.”

Long also said that the ‘Obsessed’ told her in person that she did “a great job.” For Muni, that’s what counts!

After TSR reposted Muni Long’s update, actor Jamie Foxx slid in the comment section to give the ‘Hrs & Hrs’ singer her verbal flowers!

“What a world we live in… something as beautiful as a tribute is turned into a goofy mess… the tribute was beautiful… muni… was and is always amazing… gone are the days when it just use to be great entertainment… man…,” Foxx wrote.

Mariah Carey tribute aside, Muni Long also scored an award W at the entertainment industry celebration. She and her son, whom she lovingly calls twin, won the R&B ‘Song of the Year’ category for her track, ‘Made For Me.’ It’s been less than a year since Muni first confirmed she’s a mother, which happened while performing in Chris Brown’s ’11:11′ tour last August. Though rumors floated of a pregnancy in 2022, the singer kept that part of her life under lock and key. Most recently, Muni said he “really enjoyed his special night” at the iHeartRadio Music Awards.

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