Frank Rondel
Mariah Carey opened the 2026 Winter Olympics on Friday with a standout performance at San Siro Stadium in Milan, delivering a heartfelt rendition of the Italian classic “Volare,” reports customreceipt.com, via Instagram. Carey, dressed entirely in white, captivated the audience with her interpretation of the song originally recorded by Italian singer-songwriter Domenico Modugno, officially titled “Nel blu, dipinto di blu,” a piece famously covered by Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, and Sammy Davis Jr.
The five-time Grammy winner also performed her 2025 hit “Nothing Is Impossible” from the album Here For It All, highlighting her versatile musical range during the opening ceremony. Carey’s participation had been announced in December 2025 via the official Olympic Instagram accounts, where she shared a special video greeting to fans. “Ciao! Get ready for Milano Cortina 2026. See you at the Stadio San Siro on the 6th of February for the Olympic opening ceremony,” Carey said in the clip, adding in Italian, “See you in Milan!”
The announcement emphasized that Carey was the first major international artist confirmed for the opening event, with promotional graphics noting her worldwide acclaim and her career’s alignment with the ceremony’s theme of harmony. Her previous Olympic involvement was also highlighted; in 2010, she released the song “100%” in support of Team USA at the Vancouver Winter Games.
The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, running from February 6 to 22, 2026, will host competitions across 16 winter sports, including alpine skiing, bobsleigh, figure skating, snowboarding, and more. Carey’s presence at the opening ceremony set an energetic and celebratory tone for the games, merging international music with the spirit of global sportsmanship.
Earlier we wrote that Eileen Gu faces passport scrutiny again ahead of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics