Mariah Carey wins first VMA: “What in the Sam Hill were you waiting for?”

Mariah Carey is finally a VMA winner. Unbelievably, the R&B icon took home her first-ever VMA trophy Sunday night while being awarded the coveted Video Vanguard award, a merit given to artist’s who’ve had “outstanding contributions” and “profound impact” on music videos and popular culture.

While accepting the award, Carey joked about how long it took: “I can’t believe I’m getting my first VMA tonight. I just have one question: What in the Sam Hill were you waiting for?” She also reminisced about opening the show with Whitney Houston in 1998.

For the singer’s medley, she ran through decades of whistle-note chart toppers including “Sugar Sweet,” “Fantasy (Bad Boy Remix),” “Honey & Heartbreaker,” “Obsessed,” “It’s Like That,” “Type Dangerous,” and “We Belong Together.” It was a classic Mimi performance that kicked off in a boudoir setting and had her faux-slapping her alter-ego Bianca.

That wasn’t the last of unexpected moments for Carey; Ariana Grande, with whom Carey was long rumored to be in a feud, presented Carey the award, who lavished in response, “I’m so grateful for you and I’m beyond proud of everything you’ve achieved, girl.”

Watch her performance below. Carey will release her new album, Here For It All, on September 26.