Mariah Carey’s performance at the opening ceremony for the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics certainly attracted attention, but it also raised a few eyebrows.
Her rendition of the beloved Italian song “Nel Blu Dipinto di Blu,” commonly known as “Volare,” was a standout moment in the three-and-a-half-hour event that kicked off the Olympics.
In a post on Instagram, she expressed her excitement, saying, “It was a dream come true to perform (in Italian) at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.”
Many praised her for her vocal performance, highlighting her impressive high notes. However, some online chatter criticized the decision to have her perform instead of an Italian singer, leading to further speculation.
A few observers noted the presence of a teleprompter displaying the song lyrics, and questions about whether she was lip-syncing arose. During a press conference, reporters from various outlets, including the Associated Press, inquired about these issues.
Non-Italian Roots
Born in New York to an Irish-American mother with an opera background and a father of Venezuelan descent, Carey isn’t Italian. Nevertheless, she was promoted by the local organizing committee as a major star for the opening.
“We believe Mariah Carey’s performance was exceptional,” said Maria Laura Iascone, the ceremony director. “She created magical moments.”
It’s not clear if Carey specifically chose to perform “Volare,” but she later mentioned to Vogue that it has long been a favorite of hers.
The program also featured performances from prominent Italian artists like tenor Andrea Bocelli and singer-songwriter Laura Pausini.
Debate Over Lip-Syncing
Some viewers online suggested that the “All I Want For Christmas Is You” star appeared somewhat stiff while singing in Italian, though the audience at San Siro stadium showed enthusiasm when recognizing the local language.
She later impressed the crowd with her performance of “Nothing is Impossible.”
When asked about whether Carey was lip-syncing, Iascone refrained from answering directly, instead calling her performance “absolutely extraordinary.”
She clarified that for safety reasons, live performances at globally broadcast events are often pre-recorded.
Iascone noted, “We were all happy with the results we got,” without directly confirming if lip-syncing was involved.
Use of Teleprompter
Inside the stadium, a sizable teleprompter was visible, providing audio directives on how Carey was to pronounce the Italian lyrics.
Interestingly, the term “Volare” translates to “to fly,” and “Nell blue Dee-peen-toe D blue” corresponds to “Nel Blu Dipinto di Blu.” Many social media users, including Italian high jumper Gianmarco Tambelli, shared video clips of the scrolling lyrics, which garnered significant views.
In response to an AP inquiry, Iascone affirmed the use of a teleprompter, explaining that it helps artists navigating languages they’re not native in, with pronunciation support being particularly useful.
“This is part of the show. It’s a way to support the talent on stage,” she added.
