Mariah Carey's performance at the Winter Olympics 2026 opening ceremony in Milan's San Siro stadium has been widely panned, with critics and viewers describing it as lacklustre and underwhelming. The pop star, who was the headline act, delivered a subdued rendition of 'Volare' in Italian, followed by a brief snippet of her single 'Nothing Is Impossible'. Despite a notable whistle note, the performance failed to ignite the crowd, with many on social media calling it 'disastrous'.
The ceremony, which eschewed 'hi-tech and bling' according to creative lead Marco Balich, featured a mix of classical and pop acts. Andrea Bocelli's stirring 'Nessun Dorma' and Lang Lang's piano accompaniment of Cecilia Bartoli were highlights, while Italian rapper Ghali's subdued performance failed to impress. The event also included giant-headed effigies of opera composers dancing to Italo disco, adding a touch of kitsch.
The athletes' parade saw the US team receive a 'mixed reception', with the BBC commentator noting the political climate under the Trump administration. The ceremony concluded with a dance history of the Olympic Games, set to Italian hits including Adriano Celentano's 'Prisencolinensinainciusol'. Overall, the opening ceremony was a peculiar blend of highbrow and lowbrow, leaving many viewers confused about the direction of the event.
