The opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics held in Milan Cortina featured an attention-grabbing performance from American singer Mariah Carey. Taking center stage during the 3½-hour event, Carey delivered her interpretation of the Italian classic "Nel Blu Dipinto di Blu," widely recognized as "Volare." Her rendition drew significant attention both for the vocal effort and the cultural choices involved.
Post-performance, Carey expressed her enthusiasm on social media, describing the opportunity as "a dream come true" to perform in Italian at such a prestigious global event. Audience and online commenters showered her with praise for her striking vocal range and particularly her high notes. However, reactions were mixed, with some expressing dissatisfaction that an Italian vocalist was not chosen for the honor.
Certain audience members and online observers also pointed out the presence of a sizeable teleprompter displaying phonetic spellings of the Italian lyrics. This prompted discussions and skepticism about whether Carey employed lip-syncing during her performance. The curiosity about the performance technique persisted through social media and press inquiries.
At a daily news conference, representatives of the International Olympic Committee alongside the event’s local organizers addressed these questions. While sidestepping a definitive confirmation about the lip-syncing claims, Milan Cortina’s director of ceremonies, Maria Laura Iascone, commended Carey’s performance as "exceptional" and described it as a moment of live magic. Clarifying event production practices, she mentioned that pre-recorded tracks are standard for internationally broadcast events, primarily for ensuring audio reliability, but did not specify if Carey’s act included such measures.
Mariah Carey's personal heritage is marked by a diverse background with an Irish American mother and a Venezuelan-rooted African American father. Despite lacking Italian roots, the organizing committee had promoted her months prior as a headline attraction for the opening ceremony. Carey revealed in an interview after the event that "Volare" has long been a favorite song of hers, suggesting a personal connection to the piece performed.
Notably, while Carey represented the Italian classic on stage, the ceremony also showcased renowned Italian vocal talents including tenor Andrea Bocelli, singer-songwriter Laura Pausini, and mezzosoprano Cecilia Bartoli, underscoring the balance between international and homegrown artistry displayed during the Games’ inauguration.
Audience response inside Milan’s San Siro stadium was positive when Carey commenced her Italian performance, receiving applause and cheers. She later captivated attendees by performing another piece titled "Nothing is Impossible." When questioned about the authenticity of her live singing, Iascone refrained from a direct reply but emphasized satisfaction with the overall outcome and confirmed that Carey’s act was unpaid.
The teleprompter used during Carey’s performance was highly visible to the stadium public and viewers, showcasing phonetic directions to assist with the pronunciation of Italian lyrics. Examples included spellings like "Voh-lah-reh" for "Volare" and "Nell blue Dee-peen-toe D blue" for the full song title. These visual aids were shared widely on social platforms, gathering extensive attention. According to Iascone, the usage of teleprompters in international performances, particularly when singers are delivering songs in non-native languages, is a regular and supportive element to enhance accuracy and respect linguistic nuances in such high-profile events.