By Newsdesk
January 30, 2026 |
Mariah Carey has said she does not feel comfortable referring to herself as a “legend”.
The Butterfly singer explained that her focus remains on continuing to put the work in rather than embracing titles.
When asked if she believed she had reached legendary status, Mariah, 56, brushed off the idea.
“Everybody has their own little meanings for what things they say,” the singer told Billboard Magazine in an interview published on Thursday. “But I don't call myself a legend. I'm just still working, still trying hard.”
The One Sweet Day vocalist went on to say that her dedication has always been driven by a desire for a long lasting career.
“I've always worked really hard,” Mariah told the outlet, “because I knew that I wanted to be here for a long time.”
She also shared that staying authentic has been the most important lesson she has learned along the way.
“The one lesson I've learned is to just be true to yourself,” Mariah said, before reflecting on challenges she has faced. “And I was fortunate enough to be able to do that. There were some things along the way that weren't ideal, you know, but here I am.”
Elsewhere in the conversation, Mariah acknowledged that she is not always able to devote as much time to charitable causes as she would like. In December, she donated a pink jacket to LGBTQ+ advocacy group GLAAD, which was auctioned for $5,000 (£39980).
“All of us should do what we can to give back something,” the singer said.
“And it's also important to do more than that. I get caught up with my schedule sometimes, so it's not as much as it should be. But it's still an important part of my life.”
