Yahoo.com
The week of the Grammys will kick into high gear even before Music’s Biggest Night, as MusiCares has unveiled an all-star lineup for the 2026 Person of the Year gala honoring Mariah Carey. Set for January 30 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, the annual benefit promises a tribute worthy of one of pop music’s most influential voices.
This year’s performers span generations and genres, reflecting the reach of Carey’s catalog and legacy. Artists confirmed for the tribute concert include Foo Fighters, Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, Billy Porter, Laufey, Adam Lambert, Charlie Puth, Kesha, Maggie Rogers, Teddy Swims, and Taylor Momsen of The Pretty Reckless. The evening will open with a curated DJ set from Jermaine Dupri, whose history with Carey adds an extra layer of significance to the night.
Rather than a standard awards ceremony, the MusiCares Person of the Year event is built as a celebration through reinterpretation. Each performer will bring their own perspective to Carey’s music, reimagining songs that have shaped pop, R&B, and viral performance for decades.
Theresa Wolters, Executive Director of MusiCares, stated, “It will be thrilling to hear these performers bring their own voices to her landmark songs, offering fresh interpretations that celebrate her artistry in new ways.”
Carey, a five-time Grammy winner and a recent recipient of the Recording Academy’s Global Impact Award, will be recognized not only for her chart-dominating career but also for her broader influence and generosity. Proceeds from the gala directly support MusiCares’ wide-ranging programs, which provide critical assistance to music professionals facing health, financial, or personal challenges.
The evening will include a cocktail reception, a formal dinner, and the tribute concert itself, along with a live auction offering rare experiences only the Grammys could bring. Over the past three decades, the event has raised millions to sustain MusiCares’ mission.
Produced once again by Lewis & Clark, with Daniel Moore II serving as musical director, the 35th edition of Person of the Year is positioned as both a celebration and a call to action. As Carey herself has long championed the nostalgic power of music, the gala stands as a reminder that honoring artistry can also mean taking care of the community that creates it.
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