On Friday night, the 2026 Olympic Winter Games got off to a thrilling start with the official opening ceremony, featuring the likes of Andrea Bocelli, Charlize Theron, Sabrina Impacciatore, and Mariah Carey.
For Carey—who sang a swoon-worthy medley of the classic ballad “Volare (Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu)” and her own song “Nothing Is Impossible,” from her recent album Here for it All, for the crowd at Milan’s San Siro stadium—the opportunity “genuinely felt like a dream come true,” she told Vogue shortly after performing. “It’s one of the largest and most anticipated global events, and being part of a moment that brings the world together like that is a great honor.”
Breaking down her set, Carey explained that “Volare” has long been a favorite song of hers. “Rearranging it and learning to sing it in Italian was definitely a challenge, but it felt important to honor the host country in a meaningful way,” she said. “I also chose my song ‘Nothing Is Impossible’ because its message is hopeful and uplifting, which felt perfectly aligned with the spirit of the Olympic Games and what they represent.”
Given the grand occasion, Carey’s styling was no less carefully considered. In an homage to the Games’ northern Italian setting, she went all-in on Italian glamour for the night, donning a custom Roberto Cavalli dress designed by Fausto Puglisi. “Working with Fausto and the team at Roberto Cavalli was such a pleasure—they truly put their hearts and souls into creating a beautiful couture dress, and I felt the love,” Carey said.
Her white bustier satin gown, featuring a fitted silhouette and mermaid train, was embroidered with Swarovski embellishments and finished with an ostrich feather stole. “I wanted the look to encapsulate all the elements I love in design and couture—a beautiful shape, a dress that would be visually impactful in such a large venue, and the kind of refinement that reflects Italian design,” said Carey. “And of course, there had to be glamour.” High jewelry pieces by Levuma completed the look.
Though Carey has often embraced old Hollywood style onstage, she felt that a night celebrating the Olympics was especially worthy of theatricality and splendor. “The dress exuded the glamour I always love to incorporate into my looks, and really captured what I love about Italian fashion,” she observed. “The construction was absolute perfection. The dress was as beautiful inside as it was outside, and the delicate chain link shoulder straps added a subtle edge.”
Now that the 2026 Winter Olympics have formally kicked off, you can bet the star will be cheering on Team USA for the next three weeks. Her sport of choice? “I’ve always liked figure skating,” she said. “I think it’s so magical. I’m rooting for Team USA, but also for all the incredible athletes around the world!”
As for her upcoming musical projects, Carey knows that her fans, the Lambily, are keen to see the grunge album that she recorded in the 1990s finally come out—especially after she played some of it during a recent event with SZA. “I definitely want to release that album at some point, though I’m not sure it’s the very next step,” said Carey. “There’s a lot happening right now, and for the moment, the details are still under wraps!”
