Mariah Carey’s Olympic Performance Sparks Debate Over Cultural Representation

Pop star Mariah Carey’s performance at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics opening ceremony has generated both acclaim and controversy, highlighting questions about cultural representation on the global Olympic stage.

The American singer delivered a rendition of the iconic Italian classic “Nel Blu Dipinto di Blu” (better known as “Volare”) during the 3½-hour spectacle that kicked off the Games. While Carey later described the experience as “a dream come true” on Instagram, her performance has sparked debate among viewers and commentators.

Inside Milan’s San Siro stadium, the crowd erupted in applause when they realized Carey was performing in Italian. Her powerful high notes particularly impressed many viewers, who praised her vocal prowess and stage presence. She later captivated the audience with her own song “Nothing is Impossible.”

However, online reaction has been mixed, with many questioning why an Italian singer wasn’t selected for such a culturally significant moment in the ceremony. The controversy intensified when Italian high jumper Gianmarco Tamberi shared footage of a large teleprompter visible in the stadium that displayed phonetic pronunciations of the Italian lyrics, such as “Voh-lah-reh” for “Volare” and “Nell blue Dee-peen-toe D blue” for “Nel Blu Dipinto di Blu.”

When questioned about the teleprompter at a press conference, Maria Laura Iascone, Milan Cortina’s director of ceremonies, confirmed its use was intentional. “Of course there was a teleprompter, especially for those artists who sang in a different language than their own native language,” Iascone explained. “This is part of the show. It is a way to support the talents on the stage.”

Born in New York to an Irish American mother (who was an opera singer) and a Black father with Venezuelan roots, Carey has no direct Italian heritage. Despite this, the local organizing committee actively recruited her for months as a high-profile international performer for the opening ceremony.

In an interview with Vogue following the ceremony, Carey noted that “Volare” has long been a personal favorite song of hers, though it remains unclear whether she chose to perform it or if it was selected by organizers.

The ceremony did feature several prominent Italian vocalists, including tenor Andrea Bocelli, singer-songwriter Laura Pausini, and mezzosoprano Cecilia Bartoli, providing cultural authenticity alongside international star power.

Questions about potential lip-syncing have also emerged from online commentators who noted Carey’s somewhat stiff demeanor during portions of her Italian-language performance. When directly asked if Carey was lip-syncing, Iascone avoided answering the question directly, instead praising the singer as “really extraordinary” and noting that pre-recordings are standard practice “in order to be on the safe side” for internationally broadcast events.

“We believe that Mariah Carey’s performance was exceptional,” Iascone stated. “She was capable of creating a magic moment.” She also revealed that Carey was not paid for her appearance at the ceremony.

The debate surrounding Carey’s performance highlights the complex interplay between cultural representation, international appeal, and artistic choices at Olympic ceremonies. While Olympic opening events often feature global stars to attract worldwide viewership, questions of authenticity and cultural respect continue to arise when non-native performers are selected for culturally significant moments.

Regardless of the controversy, the performance has certainly succeeded in generating widespread conversation about the Games’ opening ceremony, bringing additional attention to the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics as athletic competitions get underway.