Mariah Carey Named 2026 MusiCares Person of the Year

On October 19, 2025, over 550 entertainment industry leaders gathered in Los Angeles for the seventh annual Ambassadors of Peace gala hosted by Creative Community for Peace (CCFP). The event, held at the Beverly Park residence of Haim Saban, aimed to promote dialogue and unity through the arts.

This year's honorees included several prominent figures, such as Bruce Resnikoff, president/CEO of Universal Music Enterprises, and Jonathan Strauss, CEO of Create Music Group. However, the most notable announcement was that Mariah Carey had been named the 2026 MusiCares Person of the Year, with CCFP chairman David Renzer stating that "her voice has shaped the sound of our times."

The gala also featured a powerful performance by John Mellencamp, who spoke out against antisemitism, saying, "I don't like to call it antisemitism. It's too polite a word for what it really is. Hatred is what it really is." Other speakers, including Resnikoff and CCFP executive director Ari Ingel, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of the music industry in addressing the "epidemic of undeniable and widespread antisemitism."

The event was attended by a host of celebrities, including Ringo Starr, Def Leppard, Paul Rudd, and Mayim Bialik, who paid tribute to the honorees. The gathering served as a powerful reminder of the entertainment industry's commitment to promoting unity, dialogue, and standing up against hate.