Being selected as an Ronnie James Dio who have contributed immensely to many projects but have yet to be acknowledged.

Sometimes, it becomes very confusing to understand what it takes to be enshrined in Cleveland, Ohio. Of course, there is the rule of needing to be an official act for 25 years, but beyond that, it's mainly about impact and influence. Therefore, there are plenty of names that have made enough of a mark to be an easy pick, but it doesn't always work out that way. There are only a few spots each year, with anywhere from five main artists or more being selected. Still, it feels as though true icons of music are sometimes being snubbed.

Mariah Carey Has Yet Again Not Been Selected As A Hall Of Fame Inductee

How Can Carey Be Left Out?

As the 2025 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame class has been announced, the major names being inducted include Cyndi Lauper, The White Stripes, Soundgarden, OutKast, Bad Company, Joe Cocker, Chubby Checker, and Salt-N-Pepa. While all of these legendary names are deserving of their spots, some nominees who didn't get selected were Billy Idol, The Black Crowes, and Mariah Carey. The latter truly left fans stunned, as this is now the second time Carey has been nominated and not selected for induction.

Although this is shocking, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is a tough ticket to be nominated for. Chubby Checker is a perfect example of how some iconic musicians have to wait decades before being selected. Checker has been eligible for a nomination since 1986, but this was the first year the legendary "Twist" singer was selected. For Carey, the two nominations thus far are not bad, since she has only been eligible since 2016. That means the odds are in her favor to eventually receive the honor.

The most times any artist has been nominated without being selected is Chic, who was a nominee 11 times before being inducted as part of the 2017 class. As for the quickest induction after their 25 years of eligibility, that distinction goes to The Beatles. Of course, this was warranted, considering they are the best-selling musical act of all time. However, it shouldn't take an accolade like that to be recognized for major contributions to the industry. There is plenty Mariah Carey has done to make her worthy of an induction.

Carey Is One Of The Most Iconic Singer-Songwriters & Hitmakers Ever

She Has Been A Legend From The First Album

In her career, Mariah Carey has released 15 studio albums, which include hits such as "Hero," "Always Be My Baby," and "Obsessed." From the very beginning of her career, Carey has proven to be one of the best singers of all time. Her self-titled debut studio album instantly became a number one record. Over the years, it has continued to rank on multiple Billboard charts, for both decades and all-time lists. Having now been certified 9x Platinum, it has become one of the best debuts in pop music history.

For all her success, she has also been recognized with a long list of awards. To date, some of her biggest wins include 5 Grammy Awards, a Grammy Impact Award, 14 Billboard Music Awards, 19 World Music Awards, and 10 American Music Awards. This résumé speaks for itself, as she is not only recognized by fans but also by her peers. Additionally, Carey has become one of the most iconic voices associated with Christmas. With hits such as "All I Want for Christmas Is You," she has become a voice of the holiday season.

This résumé speaks for itself, as she is not only recognized by fans but also by her peers.

In fact, she has made such an impact that she has had artists like Justin Bieber seeking her out to collaborate, as she resonates with multiple generations. If all that wasn't enough, her record sales speak for themselves. Most of her albums are Platinum-certified, which has led to worldwide sales of over 200 million copies. This is a remarkable achievement that only a few premier artists have accomplished. Therefore, as a trailblazer, a pop music icon, and one of the best-selling artists ever, 2026 should be the year of Mariah Carey.

Carey's Hall Of Fame Induction Is Long Overdue, & 2026 Better Be Her Year

What More Does Mariah Have To Do?

While the 2025 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame class won't be inducted until November, it's never too early to look ahead to 2026. Next year, it is very likely that Mariah Carey will emerge as a nominee for induction once again. Iconic names such as Janet Jackson and Joni Mitchell were nominated three times within three years before being inducted. This suggests that the third time could be a charm for Carey.

However, the competition will continue to be tough, as she will likely face not only the names she was up against this year, but also some new eligible artists, such as Alicia Keys. Nonetheless, Mariah Carey deserves to be inducted into the Hall for everything she has accomplished. Her record sales alone are enough to warrant induction, as there are plenty of artists in the Hall who haven't reached 100 million sold, let alone 200 million.

Mariah Carey waited many years for a nomination after becoming eligible, but 2026 will mark a decade, which is more than sufficient.

Like most artists, Mariah Carey waited many years for a nomination after becoming eligible, but 2026 will mark a decade, which is more than sufficient. She has already been inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, so entering the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame would be one of the last major accomplishments Mariah Carey has left to achieve.