Mariah Carey was at the Olympics because she was invited as the main global music star to perform at the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games in Italy.

Quick Scoop: Why She Was There

  • She was selected as the headline performer for the opening ceremony on February 6, 2026, at San Siro stadium in Milan.
  • Organizers said she “fully represents the emotional atmosphere” and fits the ceremony’s theme of harmony , using music as a universal language to connect different cultures and stories.
  • She has a past Olympics link: her song “100%” was used in support of Team USA during the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games, so this wasn’t her first Olympic connection.

What She Actually Did There

  • She performed as part of a carefully staged artistic segment meant to set the tone for the entire Games, not just as a random guest appearance.
  • Reports and broadcasts show her singing in Italian as a tribute to the host country, including a rendition of the classic song “Volare,” along with her own track “Nothing Is Impossible.”
  • The performance was designed to blend Italy’s cultural identity with a big global pop moment, which is why organizers went for a superstar with worldwide recognition.

How People Reacted Online

  • Many fans loved the spectacle and the idea of a massive diva-style performance kicking off the Winter Olympics, calling the show a dream-come-true moment for her career.
  • Others questioned the choice, wishing an Italian artist had been given the spotlight instead, and some social media posts criticized her stage presence and whether she was lip-syncing.
  • Because the Olympics is one of the last truly huge worldwide TV events, her appearance instantly became a trending topic, driving a lot of forum chatter and “why was Mariah Carey at Olympics” searches.

Why Organizers Picked Her Specifically

  • The committee highlighted her long legacy, massive vocal reputation, and cross-generational appeal as reasons she matched the emotional and symbolic goals of the ceremony.
  • They framed her less as “promoting her own music” and more as contributing to Italy’s cultural tribute and the Games’ message of unity and harmony.
  • In short, from their perspective, a globally recognized name like Mariah Carey helped turn the opening ceremony into a shared pop-cultural moment that people everywhere would talk about.

TL;DR: Mariah Carey wasn’t just randomly attending; she was the star performer at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony, chosen for her global appeal, prior Olympic connection, and fit with the Games’ “harmony” theme.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.