Mariah Carey’s turn at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics had all the trappings of a grand moment — and yet managed to leave a noticeable chunk of the internet unimpressed.
The festivities unfolded Friday night at San Siro Stadium, where thousands gathered to officially launch the 2026 Winter Olympics. After two large-scale production numbers, Carey took the stage alone, standing beneath a single spotlight in a silver-and-white, winter-ready gown.
The 56-year-old pop icon opened with a rendition of Domenico Modugno’s Italian classic “Nel blu, dipinto di blu,” better known as “Volare,” before transitioning into “Nothing Is Impossible” from her 2025 album Here For It All. On paper, it was meant to be elegant and restrained. Online, however, viewers weren’t feeling the magic.
Almost immediately, social media lit up with confusion over Carey’s presence at an Italian-hosted ceremony. Several viewers questioned why an American singer had been chosen at all, noting that Olympic opening ceremonies typically spotlight artists from the host country. Others compared the decision unfavorably to past ceremonies, pointing out that Britain’s 2012 Olympics leaned heavily on homegrown legends.
But the loudest criticism centered on Carey’s performance itself. Many viewers accused her of lip-syncing, noting that her face barely moved and that her famous whistle note seemed more implied than delivered. Jokes flew about “Italian lip-syncing” and “Olympic playback,” with some saying the moment drained energy from an otherwise solid ceremony.
The contrast didn’t help. Carey was followed by Laura Pausini, who performed the Italian national anthem, and later Andrea Bocelli, a familiar Olympic presence who last sang at the 2006 Winter Games in Turin. For many viewers, those performances felt more aligned with the evening’s tone — and with Italy itself.
Feb 6, 2026; Milan, ITALY; Recording artist Mariah Carey performs during the Opening Ceremony for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano San Siro Olympic Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images
The theme of the ceremony, “Harmony,” was meant to symbolize the partnership between Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, the mountain town co-hosting the games. Critics online were quick to note that Carey’s appearance, while undeniably famous, felt slightly out of tune with that message.
The 2026 Winter Olympics will run through Feb. 22, featuring 116 medal events over 19 days across Italy. Whether Carey’s performance will be remembered as a bizarre footnote or just a goofy opening-night hiccup remains to be seen — but for now, it’s one Olympic moment the internet is very much not letting slide.
