Mariah Carey, the 56‑year‑old pop icon, will light up the opening ceremony of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics on Feb. 6 at San Siro.
Opening Ceremony Lineup
Carey is the first international star named to perform. She announced her participation on Instagram, writing “Ci vediamo a Milano” — ‘See you in Milan’ — and the local organizing committee highlighted her as a symbol of the Games’ emotional atmosphere. The committee said: “Mariah Carey fully represents the emotional atmosphere that accompanies the run‑up to the Games,” and added, “Music is a universal language that attracts different stories and sensibilities, and intertwines with the opening ceremony’s theme of harmony.” Lady Gaga and Celine Dion performed at last year’s Summer Olympics opening ceremony in Paris.
Carey’s Career Highlights
Carey sang the U.S. national anthem at the 2002 Super Bowl but has never performed at the game’s halftime show. She has won six Grammy awards, recorded 19 No. 1 hits, and Billboard ranks her as the fourth‑greatest recording artist of all time, after the Beatles, the Rolling Stones and Elton John.
Ceremony Details
The opening ceremony will host 60,000 spectators on site, with millions more expected on television. A tribute to late fashion designer Giorgio Armani, who died at his home in Milan in September at age 91, will also be featured. The Games will spread over northern Italy, with smaller opening ceremonies in three mountain clusters. The main event at San Siro, home to Inter Milan and AC Milan, will be dismantled and replaced by a new stadium after the Games.
Closing Ceremony Preview
Internationally acclaimed ballet star Roberto Bolle will headline the closing ceremony, slated for Verona’s ancient Roman Arena on Feb. 22.
Key Takeaways
- Mariah Carey is the first international star to perform at the Milan Winter Olympics opening ceremony.
- The event will feature a tribute to Giorgio Armani and attract 60,000 live spectators.
- Roberto Bolle will headline the closing ceremony in Verona on Feb. 22.
The Milan Cortina Winter Olympics promise a blend of music, fashion, and athletic spectacle, with Carey’s performance setting the tone for the Games.
Morgan J. Carter is a Texas-based journalist covering breaking news, local government, public safety, and community developments across Austin. With more than six years of reporting experience, Morgan focuses on delivering accurate, clear, and timely stories that reflect the fast-moving pulse of the city.
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