Pop superstar Mariah Carey went viral in March over her reaction to Muni Long performing her hit song “We Belong Together” at the iHeartRadio Music Awards.
The camera focused on Mariah in the front row as Muni seemed to struggle with the lyrics. Mariah had a pained expression on her face.
Mariah’s fans assumed she disapproved of Muni Long’s efforts.
Mariah Carey reaction to Muni Long singing her song just SENT ME OMFG????pic.twitter.com/xeTFfHUFGm
— Ken (@RihannaRelease) March 18, 2025
The clip quickly went viral on social media.
Muni Long was disappointed in the mockery online. She had an explanation ready after the show.
“She asked me to do it. You thought I chose to get on TV and sing a Mariah Carey song?” Muni explained later. “You thought that was my choice? Why would I do that? Nobody can sing Mariah’s songs like Mariah. Nobody. I didn’t chose 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.”
However, Mariah contradicted Muni Long in an interview with GQ magazine.
“I just don’t like people doing my songs.”
The songbird claimed she didn’t remember Muni Long’s cover of her hit song.
“I didn’t even hear the cover,” she said. “I didn’t know it happened. No one told me. I just didn’t know that she had done ‘We Belong Together’ [as a cover] ’cause her song was so similar to ‘We Belong Together.’ I had no idea that she did ‘We Belong Together.'”
She continued: “I’m very honored and flattered that she did it. I love Muni Long, she’s a great person, umm, but I just don’t like people doing my songs.”
Muni is an acclaimed songwriter who wrote hits for other artists before establishing herself as an award-winning singer. She is best known for her 2021 hit single “Hrs and Hrs.”
Muni won the Best R&B Performance trophy at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards.
Watch Muni’s full performance below.
Muni Long performs Mariah Carey's "We Belong Together" #iHeartMusicAwards pic.twitter.com/Ik0tMXtFSl
— clubheartbreak (@clubheartbreak) March 18, 2025
