Mariah Carey on Her Third Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Nomination, Unreleased Grunge Album and Plans for the 25th Anniversary of ‘Glitter’

Mariah Carey has a simple explanation for why she’s been nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame three consecutive times, but hasn’t yet been inducted: “Haters,” she tells Variety, letting out a giggle. “No, I’m kidding. You know what it is? I don’t know the answers. It’s just a thing where this is something that I never thought about. It’s something that I just now I’m like, wow, this is incredible.”

Though an induction has been, shall we say, elusive, Carey becoming a three-peat nominee is no small feat, and this year she once again joins an illustrious group of artists on the long list for the Class of 2026. She was first nominated in 2024, nearly a decade after she became eligible, and then again in 2025. Last month, she was included once more, this time among artists including Lauryn Hill, Shakira, Phil Collins, Wu-Tang Clan, Luther Vandross, Pink, Jeff Buckley and many more.

But she isn’t overhyping it. Carey has already notched a few milestones this year, including a performance at the Winter Olympics and a star-studded tribute to her during Grammy Week as MusiCares’ Person of the Year. Throughout the evening, musicians like Jennifer Hudson, Adam Lambert and Charlie Puth gave powerful renditions of her hits, and there was even a surprise for the mega-Lambs in attendance: a performance from Foo Fighters and Taylor Momsen, who ran through songs from her unreleased grunge album “Someone’s Ugly Daughter” by the band Chick.

As Hall of Fame voters cast their ballots ahead of an April announcement, Carey spoke with Variety about plans to ultimately release “Someone’s Ugly Daughter,” what we can expect around the 25th anniversary of “Glitter” later this year and, of course, what it means to be a repeat offender among the 2026 Hall of Fame nominees.

This is your third time getting nominated. How does it feel getting that acknowledgement again?

It’s amazing. I mean, there’s just something that you can’t explain, and it’s really, really great.

What would induction into the Hall of Fame mean to you as a musician at this point in your career?

Well, I mean, it would be fantastic, but I’m just like… Pftt. You know, if it happens, it happens. And if it doesn’t, it doesn’t. But I think it would be amazing.

You’ve been nominated for and won so many awards over the years. Do you have expectations at this point when you get an honor like this?

It’s hard to have expectations. So when I’m sitting here being like, oh, am I gonna get this award? Sometimes I’m just like, nah, because I don’t know. I never really believe it’s gonna happen until it does happen.

We’re talking about the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. You think rock, you think of your grunge band, Chick. What was it like seeing Foo Fighters perform some of those songs with Taylor Momsen at MusiCares in January?

The best. Thing. Ever. It was the best thing ever. Oh my gosh, I was sitting there so excited. You have no idea. I was flipping out.

Did the thought of it occur to you, “I should get on stage with them to sing these songs?”

No, they were doing a great job. I’ll always have incredible memories of watching the Foo Fighters perform Chick. Like, it’s just such an amazing thing. It was one of the best things I’ve ever experienced.

What are the odds that we’re gonna get the version of “Someone’s Ugly Daughter” with your lead vocals on it?

Well, I want to have this happen, but you know, I gotta wait.

Well, what’s stopping you?

[Laughs] I don’t know. I just literally have to wait a minute and put it out. And I’m going to do it. I’m going to do it. It’s just, you know, a whole thing.

It’s also the 25th anniversary of “Glitter” this year. Fans noticed that it went missing from streaming a month ago, so do you have plans for a deluxe, a reissue? What’s going on?

Plans for a deluxe and a reissue, or maybe just one, I don’t know. We’re getting on top of it. I’m excited about it.

There are some great music videos from that era, like for “Don’t Stop (Funkin’ 4 Jamaica).” It would be great to get remastered videos as part of this.

Actually, it really would. No, we were just talking about it today. I really think it could be a moment.

“Glitter” has come such a long way. There was a campaign not so long ago where people drove it back up the charts. What are your thoughts on that album now? Do you feel like it’s underrated in your discography? How has your relationship with it changed over time?

I used to hate it. I used to be so like, why did I do that? And then, you know, it became something that I really loved and it just sort of took on its own thing.

What was it that made you feel like you shouldn’t have done it?

Because it was a disastrous flop. [Laughs]

Well, it really did go on to have a lot of people really appreciate and show love for it.

Yeah, no, it did. But it was just a tough time for me.

You just put out “Here For It All.” But you’re not one to idle. Are you already recording new music?

I’m definitely recording new music and I’m very excited about it. And yeah, I’m kind of like always recording new music, but I hope it will do well and people will like it. But yeah, new music.

With the idea of putting together a record?

When I say that people get upset with me. [Laughs]

Via: Variety