Mariah Carey’s Olympic performance raises questions about lip syncing and teleprompter use

Mariah Carey performs ‘Volare’ at Milano Cortina 2026 opening ceremony

Mariah Carey performed at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony at San Siro stadium in Milan on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, according to The Associated Press.

The 3.5-hour ceremony at San Siro Stadium opened the Games and featured her singing the Italian classic “Nel Blu Dipinto di Blu,” known as “Volare.”

Mariah Carey later wrote on Instagram that performing in Italian at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony was a dream come true. The Associated Press reported that the opening event also included Italian artists Andrea Bocelli, Laura Pausini, and Cecilia Bartoli.

Mariah Carey sang Volare and her own song

Mariah Carey sang the Italian song Nel Blu Dipinto di Blu, known as Volare, during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony in Milan, according to The Associated Press. The performance took place at San Siro Stadium during the 3.5-hour program.

After singing Volare, Mariah Carey performed her own song Nothing’s Impossible, the Associated Press reported. The audience inside the stadium responded with cheers and applause during both performances.

Mariah Carey background noted by organizers

Mariah Carey was born in New York to an Irish-American opera singer mother and a Black father with Venezuelan roots, according to The Associated Press. The article noted she does not have an Italian background.

Despite her non-Italian background, the Milano Cortina local organizing committee selected Mariah Carey months in advance to perform at the opening ceremony, The Associated Press reported.

International attention followed ceremony questions

Three reporters, including The Associated Press, asked the International Olympic Committee and Milano Cortina organizers about Mariah Carey’s opening ceremony performance. Questions focused on the visible teleprompter and online speculation about whether the vocals were live.

Iascone said pronunciation aids are part of the show and are used to support performers singing in a non-native language. Maria Laura Iascone said phonetic aids are part of the show and help performers deliver accurate lyrics.

Mariah Carey said Volare is a longtime favorite

The Associated Press reported that it was unclear who chose Volare for Mariah Carey to sing at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony. After the ceremony, she told Vogue the song has long been one of her favorites.

Her comment to Vogue helped explain the selection of an Italian classic for her set at a global sporting event in Milan, according to The Associated Press. The song is widely known in Italy and recognized internationally.

Mariah Carey selection drew praise and criticism

The Associated Press reported that Mariah Carey received praise for her high notes during Volare at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony in Milan. Many viewers described the performance as impressive, and the crowd at San Siro stadium cheered when she sang in Italian.

Online reactions also included criticism questioning why an Italian singer was not chosen for the opening ceremony performance, according to The Associated Press. Commenters raised concerns about representation and the choice of a non-Italian artist for an Italian classic at the event.

Organizers praised Mariah Carey performance

Maria Laura Iascone, director of ceremonies for Milano Cortina, said Mariah Carey’s rendition of Volare was extraordinary.

She highlighted the singer’s technical skill and stage presence, describing the performance as a memorable contribution to the opening ceremony experience for attendees and viewers worldwide.

The Associated Press reported that organizers had promoted Carey as a key talent months in advance. Iascone said the team believed her appearance added prestige and excitement to the ceremony.

The praise focused on her artistry rather than public criticism, underlining the official view of her performance.

Lip syncing questions raised after performance

After the ceremony, online viewers debated if Mariah Carey lip-synced while performing in Italian at San Siro stadium. Many noted her posture and use of a teleprompter as evidence, prompting a wider discussion about live versus pre-recorded performances at large international events.

Maria Laura Iascone addressed the speculation at a news conference, emphasizing that performers’ safety and broadcast reliability often require pre-recorded support.

She avoided confirming live vocals but praised Carey’s work. Organizers were satisfied with the final performance and said the audience response indicated a successful opening moment.

Performances are recorded for broadcast safety

The Associated Press reported that while the pre-recording practice raised questions, it did not diminish Carey’s impact. Organizers were satisfied with the final presentation.

Iascone emphasized that pre-recorded support is a precautionary measure, not a comment on the singer’s ability, and helps maintain production quality for global audiences.

Mariah Carey was not paid for the performance

Maria Laura Iascone said Mariah Carey was not paid for her performance at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony, according to The Associated Press. The statement addressed questions about compensation for high-profile performers.

The Associated Press reported that Iascone said organizers were satisfied with the performance’s outcome, despite mixed public reaction. The comment clarified the terms of Carey’s participation in the ceremony.

Teleprompter helped with Italian pronunciation

A large teleprompter inside San Siro stadium showed phonetic spellings to help Mariah Carey pronounce Italian lyrics, according to The Associated Press. The screen displayed guidance for Volare and Nel Blu Dipinto di Blu.

Maria Laura Iascone told reporters that teleprompters help artists sing in languages that are not their native tongues, The Associated Press reported. She said pronunciation support is part of the show.

Social media spread teleprompter images

Posts showing the phonetic teleprompter lyrics spread widely on social media after the opening ceremony, according to The Associated Press. Italian high jumper Gianmarco Tamberi shared images that received hundreds of thousands of views.

The Associated Press reported that the teleprompter images became part of an online discussion about Mariah Carey’s performance. The visibility highlighted the challenges of singing in a non-native language.

Curious about why Mariah Carey is skipping her holiday shows this year? Check out the full story here.

Italian artists also performed at ceremony

The opening ceremony featured Italian performers Andrea Bocelli, Laura Pausini, and Cecilia Bartoli, according to The Associated Press. These artists represented Italian voices at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony.

The Associated Press reported that these Italian artists appeared alongside Mariah Carey in the ceremony program. Their inclusion reflected the ceremony’s mix of international and Italian performers.

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This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.

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