Mariah Carey's 2026 Winter Olympics Opening Performance Sparks Widespread Criticism
Mariah Carey's performance at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics has been labelled as 'disastrous' by numerous viewers, who have raised questions about her involvement and the authenticity of her singing. The ceremony took place on Friday, February 6, 2026, at the historic San Siro Stadium in Milan, Italy, officially marking the commencement of the games.
Performance Details and Immediate Backlash
Carey, aged 56, took to the stage following two large production numbers, dressed in a wintery silver-and-white gown. Under a single spotlight, she performed a rendition of Domenico Modugno's classic Italian song 'Nel blu, dipinto di blu', commonly known as 'Volare', before transitioning into her own track 'Nothing Is Impossible' from her 2025 album Here For It All.
However, the performance quickly drew criticism on social media platforms, with many spectators expressing disappointment. A significant point of contention was Carey's apparent lack of enthusiasm and effort, particularly in reaching her iconic whistle notes, leading to widespread speculation that she was lip-syncing.
Social Media Reactions and Questions of Authenticity
On X, formerly Twitter, users did not hold back in their assessments. One individual commented, 'Laura Pausini, thanks for making this boring ceremony a bit better after the disastrous playback from Mariah Carey,' highlighting the contrast with the subsequent act.
Others questioned the decision to feature an American artist at an Italian-hosted event. 'Is Mariah Carey part Italian? I’m not sure why an American singer is there, unless, maybe she’s super popular in Italy?' one user pondered. Another added, 'Usually the host country only features talent from their country. Great Britain had Bowie, Annie Lennox, & others… don’t recall any American singers.'
The lip-syncing allegations were a recurring theme, with viewers noting that Carey's facial expressions remained largely static throughout. '#Olympics2026 when was the last time Mariah Carey didn’t lip sync a performance. Doing it in Italian is a new twist,' a person wrote, while another agreed, stating, 'Mariah Carey so obviously lip syncing. Wasn't tryna hide it a single bit. Ruined what has been a decent opening ceremony thus far.'
Ceremony Context and Other Performers
The opening ceremony's theme was 'Harmony', symbolising the collaboration between the two host cities: Milan and the mountain town of Cortina d’Ampezzo. Alongside Carey, the event featured other notable Italian performers, including Laura Pausini, who sang the Italian National Anthem, and Andrea Bocelli, who last performed at the closing ceremony of the 2006 Winter Games in Turin.
The 2026 Winter Olympics will continue until the closing ceremony on February 22, featuring 116 medal events over 19 days in Italy. Representatives for Mariah Carey have been contacted by The Independent for comment regarding the criticism, but no response has been provided at this time.
