Mariah Carey 2026 Olympic opening ceremony performance sparks…
The performance by pop star Mariah Carey at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics opening ceremony was the speak of the city — but it surely also raised a few questions.
The rendition by the American singer of Italian basic “Nel Blu Dipinto di Blu” — better often called “Volare” — was a showstopping highlight in the 3½-hour spectacle that kicked off the Games.
“Such a dream come true to perform (in Italian!) at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games Opening Ceremony,” she later wrote in an Instagram put up.
Mariah Carey performs at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics Opening Ceremony at San Siro Stadium in Milan, Italy, on Feb. 6, 2026. REUTERS
She obtained rave reviews from many, who called her marvelous and touted her high notes.
But her performance Friday also prompted a great deal of criticism on-line, the place commenters had been confused why an Italian singer wasn’t given the honor.
Some famous a large teleprompter with a phonetic breakdown of the tune’s Italian lyrics, while others puzzled if she was lip-syncing.
Three reporters — including The Associated Press — requested the International Olympic Committee and local organizers about her during their daily news convention Saturday to deal with the teleprompter and doubts about lip-syncing.
Non-Italian background
Carey was born in New York to an Irish American mom, who was an opera singer, and a Black father with Venezuelan roots.
Carey obtained rave reviews from many, who called her marvelous and touted her high notes. REUTERS
Despite her non-Italian background, the local organizing committee requested her to carry out at Friday’s opening ceremony and touted her for months as a big get to open the Winter Games.
“We believe that Mariah Carey’s performance was exceptional,” Milan Cortina’s director of ceremonies Maria Laura Iascone said Saturday. “She was capable of creating a magic moment.”
It’s unclear whether or not Carey selected to sing “Volare,” however she told Vogue after the ceremony that the tune has lengthy been a favourite of hers.
The present did feature the Italian voices of tenor Andrea Bocelli, singer-songwriter Laura Pausini and mezzosoprano Cecilia Bartoli.
Lip-syncing questions
While armchair analysts mused on-line that the “All I Want for Christmas is You” singer appeared stiff, particularly while singing in Italian, the crowd inside the San Siro stadium cheered and applauded after they realized she was performing in the local language.
She later surprised the viewers together with her personal “Nothing is Impossible.”
Asked Saturday if Carey was lip-syncing, Iascone dodged the query and instead praised her as “really extraordinary.”
Despite her non-Italian background, the local organizing committee requested her to carry out at Friday’s opening ceremony and touted her for months as a big get to open the Winter Games. Xinhua/Shutterstock
She said that “in order to be on the safe side,” they always report performances ahead of time for internationally broadcast occasions.
She didn’t straight deal with if Carey was lip-syncing and said the singer wasn’t paid for her performance.
“We were all satisfied with the result we had,” she said.
Phonetic teleprompter
A large teleprompter was seen inside the stadium, spelling out phonetically how Carey ought to sing the Italian phrases.
“Voh-lah-reh,” it read for “Volare.” And “Nell blue Dee-peen-toe D blue” for “Nel Blu Dipinto di Blu.”
Posts of the scrolling lyrics on social media, including from Italian high jumper Gianmarco Tamberi, racked up a whole bunch of 1000’s of views on-line.
It’s unclear whether or not Carey selected to sing “Volare,” however she told Vogue after the ceremony that the tune has lengthy been a favourite of hers. Walter G. Arce/ZUMA / SplashNews.com
When the AP requested Iascone about it, she said “of course” there was a teleprompter.
“Especially for those artists who sang in a different language than their own native language,” she said. “And they needed some support, especially regarding the pronunciation.”
Iascone added: “This is part of the show. It is a way to support the talents on the stage.”
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