MusiCares® Reveals Performers for the 2026 Person of the Year Gala Honoring Mariah Carey

Adam Lambert, Billy Porter, Charlie Puth, Foo Fighters, Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, Kesha, Laufey, Maggie Rogers, Taylor Momsen, and Teddy Swims Among Artists Slated to Perform at Tribute Concert, With a Special DJ Set by Jermaine Dupri

SANTA MONICA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Grammy^® Award-winning artists Billy Porter, Foo Fighters, Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, and Laufey, along with Grammy-nominated artists Adam Lambert, Charlie Puth, Kesha, Maggie Rogers, and Teddy Swims, as well as record-breaking frontwoman Taylor Momsen of The Pretty Reckless, will perform at the 2026 MusiCares^® Person of the Year benefit gala honoring Mariah Carey — music icon, five-time Grammy Award winner and a recipient of the Recording Academy Global Impact Award in 2024. The evening will open with a special curated DJ set by Grammy Award winner Jermaine Dupri. The event will be held at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, celebrating Carey’s storied career and philanthropic impact. Additional artists will be announced leading up to the event.

“Mariah Carey’s music has touched the hearts of millions and inspired countless artists,” said Theresa Wolters, Executive Director of MusiCares. “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 — a reminder of the power of music to connect us all. Person of the Year is more than a tribute: it’s a moment for our community to come together and give back to the humans behind the music. The support raised through this gala allows us to stand with music professionals in ways that truly matter, caring for their mental and physical health, addressing unexpected challenges, and helping them build the foundation for sustainable, fulfilling careers.”

“I’m deeply honored to have these extraordinary artists come together for this evening,” said Carey. “Their generosity, their presence, and their commitment to this moment mean more to me than I can express. Being part of this celebration in benefit of MusiCares and the support they provide to those in the music community makes this night even more special. I’ve always believed that music heals, and it’s meant to be shared!”

The 35th annual MusiCares Person of the Year gala will be held two nights before the 2026 Grammy Awards^®. The gala will open with a cocktail reception, followed by a seated dinner and the star-studded tribute concert featuring performances celebrating Carey’s musical achievements and her philanthropic contributions.

The evening will also feature a live auction benefitting MusiCares’ mission, offering a limited number of exclusive experiences, including once-in-a-lifetime opportunities generously donated in collaboration with Carey. Auction items will be available for bidding during the gala and will include a VIP Floor Bistro table at the 2026 Grammy Awards, a rare experience offering unparalleled access to the ceremony. Winners must be present at the event, and certain experiences may also require availability for international travel.

Since 1991, the event has raised millions to fund MusiCares’ life-saving programs, including emergency financial assistance, addiction recovery, mental-health services, preventive clinics, and disaster relief for music professionals and their families. Through this event, MusiCares continues to honor the humans behind the music, ensuring they have the resources to flourish both personally and professionally.

The event will again be produced by live event broadcast outfit Lewis & Clark, made up of Joe Lewis and R.A. Clark. Daniel Moore II will join the special evening as musical director.

The event would not be possible without support from our sponsors AEG, City National Bank, Klipsch Reference Premiere powered by Panasonic Automotive, Meta, PATRÓN tequila, SiriusXM, StageWater, Starbucks, and the Wasserman Foundation.

Tables and tickets are available for purchase at http://personoftheyear.musicares.org/. For more information about the event please visit www.musicares.org or email [e-mail].

For media interested in applying for red carpet credentials, please reach out to Jerry Rojas at [e-mail].

ABOUT MUSICARES

MusiCares^® helps the humans behind music because music gives so much to the world. Offering preventive, emergency and recovery programs, MusiCares is a safety net supporting the health and welfare of the music community. Founded by the Recording Academy^® in 1989 as a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) charity, MusiCares safeguards the well-being of all music people through direct financial grant programs, networks of support resources, and tailored crisis relief efforts. For more information please visit: www.musicares.org.