Mariah Carey's Olympic Performance Sparks Debate

Pop Icon Delivers Italian Classic

Pop artist Mariah Carey performed the Italian song "Nel Blu Dipinto di Blu," also known as "Volare," at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics opening ceremony. Carey later posted on Instagram that performing in Italian was a "dream come true."

Mixed Reception and Public Inquiry

The performance received both positive reviews and criticism. Online commentary included questions regarding the selection of a non-Italian singer for the Italian classic, the visible use of a large teleprompter displaying phonetic lyrics, and suspicions of lip-syncing. Reporters subsequently raised these points with the International Olympic Committee and local organizers during a news conference.

Organizers Address Questions

Maria Laura Iascone, Milan Cortina’s director of ceremonies, described Mariah Carey's performance as "exceptional" and credited her with creating a "magic moment." She confirmed that Carey, who has Irish American and Black/Venezuelan heritage and was born in New York, was invited by the local organizing committee to perform. Other Italian artists, including Andrea Bocelli, Laura Pausini, and Cecilia Bartoli, also performed during the ceremony.

Maria Laura Iascone, Milan Cortina’s director of ceremonies, confirmed Mariah Carey was invited by the local organizing committee, describing her performance as "exceptional" and a "magic moment."

Regarding questions about lip-syncing, Iascone did not offer a direct confirmation or denial but stated that performances for internationally broadcast events are typically pre-recorded as a precautionary measure. She also clarified that Carey was not paid for her appearance.

Iascone confirmed the presence of a teleprompter, explaining its purpose was to assist artists performing in a language other than their native tongue, specifically with pronunciation. Phonetic spellings, such as "Voh-lah-reh" for "Volare," were visible on the teleprompter.