Mariah Carey headlined Brighton Pride on Saturday, five years after her originally scheduled appearance, but her performance drew criticism for its rushed setlist and frequent interludes. The singer, known for not acknowledging the 'passage of time', appeared in a trans flag-inspired minidress and leather jacket embroidered with 'Protect the Dolls'.
Carey opened with a relentless medley of hits including 'Emotions', 'I'll Be There' and 'Vision of Love', showcasing her still-intact whistle register. However, the show quickly faltered as tracks like 'Fantasy' and a 'Heartbreaker/Honey' mashup were cut to single verses, leaving the crowd struggling to keep up with the stop-start pacing.
After an outfit change, Carey performed '#Beautiful' and 'Obsessed', widely seen as a diss track aimed at Eminem, followed by a playful 'Touch My Body' that marked the show's peak. A glam moment during 'Say Somethin'' saw her hair and makeup team touch her up on stage, adding to the camp atmosphere.
But subsequent outfit changes and dance breaks caused the energy to drop, with many fans leaving early. The closing numbers from 'The Emancipation of Mimi', including 'We Belong Together', failed to recapture the crowd's attention. Despite proving she still has vocal prowess, critics noted Carey could have given more to the Pride audience.
