It's been 29 years since Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas is You" became an instant holiday standard. Remarkably, Sunday night's (Nov. 19) Billboard Music Awards (BBMA) broadcast marked the first time that Carey performed the song live on television.
Videos by Wide Open Country
In the spirit of holiday variety shows past, Carey arrived on a ski lift and dressed for the slopes. Roller-skating choreography lent even more joy to a song that's synonymous with seasonal fun. Per US Weekly, the winter wonderland dance routines were choreographed by Grey's Anatomy star Debbie Allen.
Carey was there to accept Billboard's career-spanning Chart Achievement Award, which was presented by her 12-year-old twins, Monroe and Moroccan. The singer shares the twins with ex-husband Nick Cannon.
"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 said during her acceptance speech. "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."
Gilbert Flores/Penske Media via Getty Images
The special honor received by Carey commemorates the recurring success of "All I Want for Christmas is You," which has topped the Billboard Hot 100 annually since 2019.
"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 for Christmas Is You,' I never could and imagined I'd be standing here three months later, accepting a special award for it," Carey joked.
Carey co-wrote and co-produced "All I Want for Christmas is You" with Walter Afanasieff. In Oct. 1994, it became a single from Carey's holiday album Merry Christmas.
