Mariah Carey’s performance at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics opening ceremony became a hot topic, sparking both admiration and debate.

The American pop sensation delivered a captivating rendition of the Italian classic “Nel Blu Dipinto di Blu,” popularly known as “Volare,” serving as a standout moment in the elaborate 3½-hour event that launched the Games.

“Performing at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games Opening Ceremony, and in Italian no less, was a dream come true,” Carey expressed in an Instagram post following her performance.

Her performance was met with high praise, with many fans applauding her stunning vocal range and impressive high notes.

However, the decision to have Carey perform also drew criticism online, where many questioned why the opportunity wasn’t given to an Italian artist.

Observers pointed out the use of a large teleprompter with phonetic Italian lyrics, and some speculated about the possibility of lip-syncing during the performance.

Three reporters — including The Associated Press — asked the International Olympic Committee and local organizers about her during their daily news conference Saturday to address the teleprompter and doubts about lip-syncing.

Non-Italian background

Carey was born in New York to an Irish American mother, who was an opera singer, and a Black father with Venezuelan roots.

Despite her non-Italian background, the local organizing committee asked her to perform at Friday’s opening ceremony and touted her for months as a big get to open the Winter Games.

“We believe that Mariah Carey’s performance was exceptional,” Milan Cortina’s director of ceremonies Maria Laura Iascone said Saturday. “She was capable of creating a magic moment.”

It’s unclear whether Carey chose to sing “Volare,” but she told Vogue after the ceremony that the song has long been a favorite of hers.

The show did feature the Italian voices of tenor Andrea Bocelli, singer-songwriter Laura Pausini and mezzosoprano Cecilia Bartoli.

Lip-syncing questions

While armchair analysts mused online that the “All I Want for Christmas is You” singer appeared stiff, especially while singing in Italian, the crowd inside the San Siro stadium cheered and applauded when they realized she was performing in the local language.

She later stunned the audience with her own “Nothing is Impossible.”

Asked Saturday if Carey was lip-syncing, Iascone dodged the question and instead praised her as “really extraordinary.”

She said that “in order to be on the safe side,” they always record performances ahead of time for internationally broadcast events.

She didn’t directly address if Carey was lip-syncing and said the singer wasn’t paid for her performance.

“We were all satisfied with the result we had,” she said.

Phonetic teleprompter

A large teleprompter was visible inside the stadium, spelling out phonetically how Carey should sing the Italian words.

“Voh-lah-reh,” it read for “Volare.” And “Nell blue Dee-peen-toe D blue” for “Nel Blu Dipinto di Blu.”

Posts of the scrolling lyrics on social media, including from Italian high jumper Gianmarco Tamberi, racked up hundreds of thousands of views online.

When the AP asked Iascone about it, she said “of course” there was a teleprompter.

“Especially for those artists who sang in a different language than their own native language,” she said. “And they needed some support, especially regarding the pronunciation.”

Iascone added: “This is part of the show. It is a way to support the talents on the stage.”