Mariah Carey was late to the BMI Urban Music Awards, where she was the guest of honor, but that didn't stop other artists from literally singing her praises.

Fantasia Barrino serenaded Carey with one of the honoree's own hits, "Hero," at Friday's ceremony at the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills, Calif. The former "American Idol" stepped off stage and stood right in front of Carey in the audience's front row as she wailed the final words of the song.

Though Carey is set to join "Idol" as a judge next season, she said nothing about the show as she accepted the BMI Icon Award. Accompanied by husband Nick Cannon, she simply thanked the singers for performing her sons and music-rights organization for recognizing her contributions as a songwriter.