"When Her Lips and Voice Were Out of Sync"...Mariah Carey Faces Lip-Sync Controversy at Olympic Opening Ceremony

"Worst Lip-Sync" Reactions Flood Social Media After Opening Ceremony
Bocelli and Others Praised...Inviting Comparisons With Local Artists' Performances

Global pop musician Mariah Carey has been mired in a lip-syncing controversy following her performance at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.

Quoting reports from foreign media outlets such as the British Daily Mail on the 6th (local time), Yonhap News Agency reported that Carey, who took the stage at the opening ceremony held at San Siro Stadium in Milan, Italy, is facing allegations of lip-syncing.

Appearing in a dress and fur coat adorned with more than a total of 300 carats of diamonds, she performed Italian national icon Domenico Modugno's signature song "Nel Blu, dipinto di Blu" and her own hit "Nothing is impossible."

Mariah Carey is singing on stage at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics on the 6th (local time). Yonhap News Agency

However, immediately after the performance, reactions suspecting Carey of lip-syncing spread rapidly on social media. Online commenters pointed out that "her lip movements did not match the audio" and that "there was almost no movement in her facial muscles even during the high notes."

The Daily Mail reported, "Carey is being mocked on social media because she appears to be clumsily miming the song," adding, "She seemed to make little effort when attempting the highest notes, and at times her lip movements appeared slower than the sound heard in the stadium."

Some have suggested that an audio delay may have occurred due to the nature of a large outdoor stadium. However, there is disappointment that the very fact that the live status of a top musician like Carey became a matter of debate on such a symbolic stage as the Olympic opening ceremony has become an issue. Questions have also continued over the decision to have an American singer with no direct connection to host nation Italy take on a major segment of the show.

By contrast, Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli's performance of "Nessun Dorma," an aria from Puccini's opera "Turandot," has been praised for leaving a deep impression. A performance by leading Italian singer Laura Pausini also received positive reviews, prompting comparisons between Carey and the local artists.

Meanwhile, the organizing committee for the Games has not issued any official statement regarding the controversy over Carey's opening ceremony performance.