If there were a Mount Rushmore for iconic divas who’ve endlessly inspired the LGBTQ+ community, you better look over your shoulder, honey, ’cause Mariah Carey will be there. She is an inspired R&B and pop beltress who is known for going glam for her Lambs, but let’s not forget Mariah is also a patron saint of camp, unafraid of a little artifice and exaggeration in the name of a good music video (“Heartbreaker”) or movie (Glitter, obviously). What’s more, she loves Mean Girls and adores Christmas!
But Mariah’s queer iconography isn’t just surface level. In addition to her new 2022 Pride Collection — yes, Lambs, the Mariah Rainbow Body Tee can be yours — and recently hosting a screening of Billy Eichner’s new gay rom-com, Bros, for New York City Pride, she’s headlined multiple Pride and charitable events over the years, spoken with great affection of the gay couple who helped raise her, and hosted multiple surprise LGBTQ+ marriage proposals onstage during her shows. In 2016, the chanteuse was even honored with GLAAD’s Ally Award, where she delivered an unforgettable tribute.
“We got L: legendary. G: gorgeous. B: beautiful, all of you beautiful people. T: tantalizing. And even Q for quality,” Carey said. “Thank you for the unconditional love … and I wish all of you love, peace, harmony.”
So, what better time than now to take a lighthearted deep dive into the Mariah oeuvre to find a few of Mariah’s most iconic queer music video moments, whether truthful or lovingly imagined? Mimi lets us all see a part of ourselves in her music, so join Shondaland in celebrating the undisputed queen of the Billboard charts and countless rainbow-glitter-charm-bracelet hearts.
“Touch My Body”
Welcoming Jack McBrayer into her mansion to fix her Internet, Mariah makes his fantasies come true … although said fantasies include pillow fighting on the bed in a Viking helmet, walking a unicorn in medieval drag, and playing Frisbee in a tank top. Here, Carey serves as the ultimate ally.
“Dreamlover”
Carey channels big witch energy in this summery video, presiding over a dancing coven of men in a field. Undoubtedly leading some sort of cottagecore Pride enchantment, Carey even ascends to the heavens in a hot-air balloon trailing rainbow scarves. Her message is clear: Mother Nature loves her gay children … and soft, beachy waves.
“Always Be My Baby”
Somehow making denim on denim look fabulous, Carey skims over a lake in a tire swing, warbling her siren song of acceptance. Obviously infiltrating a summer camp, Carey sets the youngsters free to love whom they want to love by twirling and wagging her finger next to a campfire. Kind of like Harvey Milk, right?
“Honey”
Forced into the rigid confines of heterosexuality, “Agent M” escapes her oppressors, diving into a symbolic swimming pool. Emerging reborn in a bikini and wet hair so bouncy, the Little Mermaid would be jealous, Carey escapes to what appears to be gay paradise, populated by dancing sailors and, in the Bad Boy remix, supportive allies in a helicopter.
“Heartbreaker”
Ostensibly the story of Carey and her pink crocheted bikini confronting her on-screen cheating boyfriend, Jerry O’Connell, at the movies, there’s no denying the tension that occurs between Mariah and her raven-haired rival, Bianca Storm. (Could the fact that Bianca is also played by Carey be a metaphor for the internalized battle every LGBTQ+ community member must wage? Carey contains octaves and multitudes.) Either way, Storm and Carey’s bathroom action-movie battle surely launched a million young LGBTQ+ awakenings.
“Obsessed”
The meaning of Mariah Carey deepens as, once more, she portrays multiple roles in a video. Dragging Eminem (or is she?), Carey plays both herself and a goateed male stalker who seems to be acting out some sort of Bergman tribute, until it all turns into Mean Girls. (As everything should.)
“Butterfly”
Lonely, gorgeous, and trapped in a crumbling Southern Gothic mansion in nothing but a nightie — relatable AF — Carey must summon the strength to race outside and set her beloved metaphor-horse free so that it can prance proudly alongside its gorgeous friends. Obviously, the horse was gay.
“Endless Love”
Luther Vandross, who never officially came out during his lifetime, has reigned supreme in LGBTQ+ circles for decades. Sharing the stage and this gorgeous duet with Vandross, Carey generously shines the spotlight on one of the greatest male singers in music history, taken from us too soon.
Jonathan Riggs is a freelance writer and former managing editor of the LGBTQ+ lifestyle magazine Instinct.
Get Shondaland directly in your inbox: SUBSCRIBE TODAY
