Mariah Carey to perform at Milan Cortina Winter Olympics opening ceremony
Pop icon set to headline Milan ceremony as Games spread across northern Italy
MILAN — Mariah Carey will perform at the opening ceremony of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, organizers said Monday, making the 56-year-old pop icon the first international act publicly named to perform at the Feb. 6 event at Milan’s San Siro stadium. The local organizing committee described Carey’s selection as reflecting the Games’ aim to blend global appeal with Italian culture, and Carey posted on Instagram, “Ci vediamo a Milano” — “See you in Milan.”
The committee emphasized that Carey’s involvement aligns with the emotional atmosphere surrounding the Games, noting that music is a universal language that can intersect with the opening ceremony’s theme of harmony. The Milan Cortina Games will be staged across northern Italy, with simultaneous but smaller opening ceremonies planned in three mountain clusters in addition to the Milan showcase. The opening in Milan will be followed by a closing ceremony in Verona’s ancient Roman Arena on Feb. 22, headlined by internationally acclaimed ballet star Roberto Bolle.
Carey’s selection adds a high-profile international presence to a multi-site event that organizers say will fuse regional flavor with global spectacle. While the character of the performances and the exact lineup are still being finalized, officials have stressed that the ceremonies will highlight music, dance and technology to tell a cohesive story across venues. The plan to spread ceremonies across multiple locations reflects a broader approach for these Games, designed to showcase northern Italy’s landscapes and cultural heritage while bringing attention to the host regions.
Officials said more performers and program details will be announced in coming weeks as preparations continue for the opening, which will be broadcast to audiences around the world. Carey’s participation places a widely known American icon at the forefront of a ceremony intended to set a festive tone for the Games and to demonstrate unity through music and sport. |