Mariah Carey delivered a show-stopping blend of glamour and music as she helped usher in the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics on February 6, taking the stage in Milan adorned in more than 300 carats of real diamonds paired with an embellished white gown.
The 56-year-old Grammy winner performed during the opening ceremony at San Siro Stadium, officially launching the Winter Games with a moment that was equal parts fashion spectacle and musical celebration.
Carey’s dazzling jewelry, crafted by LEVUMA High Jewelry, featured a necklace, bracelet, and earrings made from emerald-cut diamonds set in platinum, totaling an extraordinary 306 carats.
Each diamond was personally selected by LEVUMA founder and creative director Ali Khalil, with the redesigned pieces requiring “hundreds of hours” of meticulous craftsmanship to complete.
The statement necklace showcased a large center stone framed by smaller diamonds, while the earrings featured four diamonds each and the bracelet was set with more than a dozen stones.
Carey complemented the glittering jewelry with a plunging white Roberto Cavalli gown, intricately adorned with light-catching embellishments, and completed the look with a feathered stole and her signature voluminous, crimped waves.
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Musically, Carey opened her performance with Domenico Modugno’s “Volare (Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu)” before seamlessly transitioning into her own anthem, “Nothing Is Impossible.”
Her appearance added a moment of elegance and drama to the opening ceremony, which officially launched the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, running through February 22.
Mariah Carey Stuns In Italian Performance As She Returns To The Olympic Spotlight
As already stated, Mariah Carey performed “Nel Blu Dipinto di Blu,” widely known as “Volare,” in Italian before shifting to English for “Nothing Is Impossible” from her 2025 album, Here For It All, during the February 6 event at Milano San Siro Olympic Stadium in Milan.
She was part of a lineup of artists scheduled for the ceremony that also included Andrea Bocelli, Chris Stapleton, and Karol G.
Organizers first announced Carey’s involvement in December 2025, stating, “Mariah Carey fully represents the emotional atmosphere that accompanies the run-up to the Games. Music is a universal language that attracts different stories and sensibilities and intertwines with the opening ceremony’s theme of harmony.”
Creative director Marco Balich later previewed the performance, explaining, “The entire stadium will be singing along,” and noting the decision for Carey to sing in Italian aimed to unite the audience.
Although Friday marked her first official Olympic opening-ceremony performance, Carey has prior ties to the Winter Games. Her song “100%” appeared on the Team USA soundtrack for the 2010 Olympics, with proceeds donated to Team USA.
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At the time, she said, “I am honored to be a part of this effort to support Team USA through this soundtrack. The Olympic Winter Games create once-in-a-lifetime moments for the entire world to see.”
The Grammy winner added, “It is truly amazing to watch these first-rate athletes compete and give everything they have to reach new levels of achievement. Their actions provide hope and inspiration for everyone. As artists, we strive to encourage others through our music.”
The Milano Cortina opening ceremony signaled the official beginning of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, initiating more than two weeks of international competition ahead of the closing ceremony on February 22.
