“This award is particularly special to me because the song itself changed my entire life,” Carey said during her speech at the 2023 Billboard Music Awards
Time just simply doesn’t exist for the Queen of Christmas.
While accepting the Billboard Chart Achievement Award for her longstanding hit “All I Want for Christmas Is You” at the 2023 Billboard Music Awards — presented to her by her 12-year-old twins, Moroccan and Monroe — Mariah Carey once again joked that she doesn’t “acknowledge time.”
“Billboard has been an integral part of my life for a very long time now. Even though I don’t acknowledge time, I kind of have to admit that some of my most memorable times in my career are connected to Billboard and the BBMAs,” Carey, 54, teased during her acceptance speech.
She continued: “One thing I really have to say that I’m really grateful for is the fact that my fans have been here with me through the hits, through the misses, the No. 1s and the Bubbling Unders.”
The “We Belong Together” singer then explained how life-changing her holiday classic has been since its release in 1994.
“This award is particularly special to me because the song itself changed my entire life. When I first sat down to write ‘All I Want Christmas Is You,’ I never could have imagined I would be standing here three months later accepting a special award for it, OK?” she quipped, referencing her earlier comment about time.
Carey then thanked her fans who have “allowed this song to be a part of their holiday soundtrack each year.”
“I’m so honored to be receiving this award for this little song’s chart achievements, but the greatest achievement for me, is being here with all of you and feeling the love that only music can generate. Thank you so much!” she told the crowd.
Before receiving her award, the pop icon receive performed her holiday anthem for the audience, bringing some winter glamour with her.
Dressed as a snow princess, Carey’s all-white ensemble featured plunging, zipper-front minidress with cozy cuffs and silver embellishments along the hemline.
She also sported sheer tights, knee-high boots and a pair of cat-eye sunglasses.
For her performance, Carey was arrived on stage in a ski lift chair. She sang “All I Want for Christmas Is You” in front of a retro ski chalet backdrop.
Earlier this week, Carey told Access that her twins would take part in the performance.
“I love it. I love seeing them stepping into this performance space, this music space, and the fact that they’re eager to do it, that’s on them,” she said.
The “Heartbreaker” performer holds the record for the artist with most weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 — thanks in part to the holiday hit, which has spent 12 weeks at the top of the chart.