Mariah Carey, often hailed as the reigning Queen of Christmas, took the stage at the 2023 Billboard Music Awards to present her timeless hit, “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” Dressed in an elegant white minidress paired with knee-high boots, the legendary songstress captivated audiences with a mesmerizing performance of her festive anthem, marking her debut at an award ceremony.
Her lively rendition was accentuated by a troupe of dancers, figure skaters gracefully gliding across the stage, and a handful of campers, notably her twins, Roc and Roe. Adding to her accolades of the night, Carey clinched the Chart Achievement Award for “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” a track that initially topped the Hot 100 in December 2019.
Billboard highlights that the song stands as a trailblazer, being the only track to dominate the Hot 100 across five consecutive years and the sole composition to hold this distinction across multiple individual years.
Expressing her gratitude in her acceptance remarks, Carey reflected, “Billboard has woven its significance throughout my journey. While I often playfully evade the march of time, I must acknowledge the pivotal moments Billboard and the BMAs have marked in my career. I deeply appreciate my fans, who’ve been my steadfast companions through every high and low.”
She added, “Receiving this award holds profound meaning for me. ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’ was transformative, and its reception exceeded my wildest expectations. Crafting this song was an intimate endeavor, and I’m profoundly thankful to everyone who welcomes its festive spirit year after year.”
Recognized as a diamond-certified masterpiece by the RIAA and originally featured on Carey’s 1994 album, Merry Christmas, the track earned a prestigious place in the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry in 2023.
Currently, Carey is enchanting audiences nationwide with her Merry Christmas One and All Tour, with scheduled performances in cities including Denver, Toronto, Montreal, Detroit, and Chicago, culminating in a grand finale on December 17 in New York City.