Mariah Carey's Olympic Performance Sparks Lip-Sync and Teleprompter Debate
Pop icon Mariah Carey's appearance at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics opening ceremony became a major talking point, but it also ignited controversy and raised significant questions about her live singing and use of a teleprompter. The American singer's rendition of the Italian classic "Nel Blu Dipinto di Blu," widely known as "Volare," was a standout moment in the three-and-a-half-hour spectacle that launched the Games.
Mixed Reactions to the Performance
Following the event, Carey expressed her excitement on Instagram, writing, "Such a dream come true to perform (in Italian!) at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games Opening Ceremony." Many fans and critics praised her, highlighting her vocal prowess and calling the performance marvelous. However, the show also faced a wave of online criticism. Commenters questioned why an Italian singer was not chosen for the honor and noted the presence of a large teleprompter displaying phonetic breakdowns of the Italian lyrics. Additionally, speculation arose about whether Carey was lip-syncing during her act.
Official Responses and Dodged Questions
At a daily news conference on Saturday, three reporters, including one from The Associated Press, pressed the International Olympic Committee and local organizers about the teleprompter and lip-syncing concerns. Maria Laura Iascone, the director of ceremonies for Milan Cortina, defended Carey, stating, "We believe that Mariah Carey’s performance was exceptional. She was capable of creating a magic moment." Despite Carey's non-Italian background—she was born in New York to an Irish American mother and a Black father with Venezuelan roots—the local organizing committee had actively sought her for months as a headline act.
When directly asked if Carey was lip-syncing, Iascone avoided a clear answer, instead praising the singer as "really extraordinary." She explained that for internationally broadcast events, performances are often pre-recorded "in order to be on the safe side," but did not confirm if this applied to Carey's act. Iascone also revealed that Carey was not paid for her performance, adding, "We were all satisfied with the result we had."
The Teleprompter Controversy
A prominent teleprompter inside the San Siro stadium displayed phonetic guides to help Carey with the Italian pronunciation, such as "Voh-lah-reh" for "Volare" and "Nell blue Dee-peen-toe D blue" for "Nel Blu Dipinto di Blu." Social media posts featuring images of the scrolling lyrics, including one from Italian high jumper Gianmarco Tamberi, garnered hundreds of thousands of views. Iascone acknowledged the teleprompter's use, saying, "Of course there was a teleprompter. Especially for those artists who sang in a different language than their own native language, they needed some support, especially regarding the pronunciation. This is part of the show. It is a way to support the talents on the stage."
Context and Other Performers
It remains unclear whether Carey personally selected "Volare" for her set, but she told Vogue after the ceremony that the song has long been a favorite of hers. The opening ceremony also featured performances by renowned Italian artists, including tenor Andrea Bocelli, singer-songwriter Laura Pausini, and mezzosoprano Cecilia Bartoli, showcasing local talent alongside Carey's international star power.
Despite online armchair analysts criticizing Carey for appearing stiff while singing in Italian, the live audience at the stadium responded enthusiastically, cheering and applauding when they realized she was performing in their language. She later captivated the crowd with her own hit, "Nothing is Impossible," adding to the spectacle of the evening.
