Mariah Carey’s appearance at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics opening ceremony quickly became one of the most talked-about moments of the night — though it also sparked debate.
The pop icon delivered a striking rendition of the Italian standard “Nel Blu Dipinto di Blu,” widely known as “Volare,” during the 3½-hour opening show that launched the Games. Her performance stood out as one of the evening’s most memorable highlights.
“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 post.
Many fans praised the singer’s vocals, applauding her range and celebrating her powerful high notes. Several online commenters described the moment as breathtaking.
Still, not everyone was convinced. Some viewers questioned why an Italian artist hadn’t been selected for the performance, while others focused on a large teleprompter displaying phonetic spellings of the lyrics. There were also online discussions about whether Carey was singing live.
The Associated Press reported that three journalists raised the issue during Saturday’s daily press briefing, asking Olympic officials and local organizers to respond to questions about the teleprompter and possible lip-syncing.
Online critics suggested the “All I Want for Christmas is You” singer appeared somewhat rigid onstage, particularly while performing in Italian. Inside San Siro Stadium, however, the atmosphere told a different story, as fans erupted in cheers once they realized she was singing in the local language.
Later in the program, Carey wowed the crowd again with her signature song “Nothing is Impossible.”
When asked directly on Saturday whether Carey had lip-synced, Maria Laura Iascone avoided giving a clear answer, instead calling the singer “really extraordinary.”
She explained that “in order to be on the safe side,” performances for major international broadcasts are typically recorded in advance.
Iascone did not confirm whether Carey used a pre-recorded track and added that the superstar was not paid for her appearance.
“We were all satisfied with the result we had,” she said.
Carey, who was born in New York, is the daughter of an Irish American opera singer and a Black father with Venezuelan heritage.
© Getty Images for Live Nation LasAlthough she does not have Italian roots, organizers specifically invited her to perform and promoted her participation for months as a major highlight of the opening ceremony.
“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 remains unclear who selected “Volare” for Carey’s set, though she later told Vogue that the song has long been one of her favorites.
The ceremony also showcased prominent Italian performers, including tenor Andrea Bocelli, singer-songwriter Laura Pausini, and mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli.
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