American Idol judge and Mariah Carey, was late to the BMI Urban Music Awards, where she was the guest of honor, but that didn’t stop other artists from “literally singing her praises”, according to the Associated Press
Among the performers who serenaded the pop legend with her own hits, was Season 3 American Idol winner, Fantasia Barrino who performed “Hero” during the private ceremony. Fantasia stepped into the audience to stand right in front of Mariah in the front row as she wailed the song’s last notes. The two then embraced.
Nicki Minaj, who is likely to be sitting next to Mariah at the judges’ table was also in the house to receive the the year’s most played song for “Super Bass.” No word on whether the two had a moment to speak.
BMI chief Del Bryant presented Mariah with the organization’s Icon Award for Outstanding Songwriting. She’s had 18 No. 1 singles and sold more than 200 million albums.
Bryant called her “an unparalleled musical superstar” and “the greatest singer in history,” and jabbed Randy Jackson, who was in the audience when he said, of Mariah’s upcoming Idol gig, “Who knows more about musical artistry and song selection than Mariah Carey?”
“Sorry, Randy, didn’t see you there,” he added.
Season 10 alum, Paul McDonald tweeted that he was in the audience.
“I’m so humbled by this moment because a lot of people still don’t know I write my own songs,” Mariah said. She also thanked the performers “for doing something so beautiful with the songs I wrote.”
