Mariah Carey Turns Heads in Risqué Pantsless Look at 2024 Recording Academy Honors

Mariah Carey made an unexpected style choice, wearing a pantsless look at the 2024 Recording Academy Honors on Feb. 2. If anything, her fashion moment resembled her 1997 Butterfly album cover.

By Alyssa Morin Feb 02, 2024 6:33 PMTags
Watch: Newly Single Mariah Carey Shares RARE Photo of Her "Bad Side"

Mariah Carey's latest style moment looked as sweet as honey.

The "Heartbreaker" singer certainly brought a fashion fantasy to the 2024 Recording Academy Honors presented by the Black Music Collective.

For the Feb. 1 event in Los Angeles, the 54-year-old opted for a pantsless look by Schiaparelli, wearing a strapless nude corset bodysuit with sheer paneling. The couture design also featured a bronze tulle skirt attachment with voluminous ruffles and a large bow adornment.

In true Mariah fashion, her ensemble wasn't complete without an excess of jewelry, as she accessorized with a diamond choker necklace, matching bracelets and drop earrings.

If anything, the Grammy winner's honey-colored look resembled her 1997 Butterfly album cover, in which she donned a strapless nude cropped top and coordinating low-rise pants.

And it's no surprise that Mariah pulled out all of the stops for the ceremony. After all, she and Lenny Kravitz were both honored with the Global Impact Award.

"When I first started in the music business," Mariah said during her acceptance speech, "I was often told to conform to certain expectations. I was not encouraged to focus on my love for Black music."

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"It took countless arguments, endless tantrums—I'll call them tantrums—and mostly unwavering determination," she continued. "But, eventually, I was able to reveal my authentic self, and create music that came from my heart. In doing so, I discovered a newfound sense of freedom and fulfillment."

She added, "So tonight, as I accept this award, I do so with gratitude for all of you here and every person who has supported me along this journey."

ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images

The music icon's inspirational speech and daring pantsless look comes a few weeks after she stepped out of her beauty comfort zone.

To kick off 2024, she made the unexpected move to pose on the left side of her face. "New year, new beginnings," she wrote on Instagram Jan. 1, "taking a picture from my 'bad side!'"

Additionally, in the rare photo, the "Obsessed" singer also swapped out her signature blowout to rock her natural curls—a style she frequently sported in the '90s.

It's clear Mariah is embracing a new chapter, especially after she and Bryan Tanaka broke up in late December after being together for nearly a decade.

"I share this personal update regarding my amicable separation from Mariah Carey after seven extraordinary years together," Bryan wrote in part on Instagram Dec. 26. "Our decision to embark on different paths is mutual, and as we navigate these separate journeys, we do so with profound respect and an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the invaluable time we've shared."

Of course, Mariah wasn't the only star to turn heads at the 2024 Recording Academy Honors. Keep reading to see fiercest looks.

Halle Bailey

Lenny Kravitz

Andra Day

Jordin Sparks

Mariah Carey

Tori Kelly

Omarion

Niecy Nash

Letoya Luckett

Candiace Dillard

—Reporting by Reggie Elzey