Mariah Carey made her sparkling return to the 96th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thursday after a seven-year absence — but fans were quick to call her out for lip-syncing.
The singer, 52, who branded herself the ‘Queen of Christmas’, was in her element as she performed All I Want For Christmas Is You to crowds in Manhattan while dressed in a red dress and sparkling tiara.
Mariah pulled off an elaborate celebratory performance surrounded by dancers in matching marching band – which officially rang in the holiday season in New York and across the US.
However, the star, who has previously landed herself in hot water for insane miming, was once again accused of ‘blatant lip-syncing’ as fans noted that her flawless vocals sounded extremely similar to the recorded version of the track from 1994.
Did she? Mariah Carey made her sparkling return to the 96th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thursday after a seven-year absence — but fans quickly called her out for lip-syncing
One fan wrote: ‘Mariah Carey’s lip syncing always cracks me up because it’s so blatant. As if she doesn’t even try to hide it.’
Another wrote: ‘So @MariahCarey doesn’t sing anymore? Smh’ while a third typed: ‘I wish I could get paid to stand and watch fancy lip sync like Mariah Carey… that kiss didn’t sing a single note.’
Another fan wrote: ‘And here she is ladies and gentlemen! The self-proclaimed Queen of Christmas, Mariah Carey. …and yes, I think she’s lip synching.’
One fan added: ‘Mariah Carey is lip syncing. What a shock’ while another typed: What an amazing performance by #MariahCarey, totally live!! Lol’.
Come back; The singer, 52, who has branded herself the ‘Queen of Christmas’, was in her element as she performed All I Want For Christmas Is You to crowds in Manhattan while dressed in a red dress and sparkling tiara
Oh dear: The star, who has landed herself in hot water before for dodgy miming, was once again accused of ‘blatant lip-syncing’ as fans noted her flawless vocals sounded extremely similar to the recorded version of the track of 1994
Back on NYE 2016, Mariah suffered through a nightmarish train wreck performance in Times Square as technical issues left her completely out of sync with her lip sync job – causing her to storm off stage.
The megastar-diva would announce in 2017 and said good riddance to 2016 for the traditional ball drop by performing two hits, Emotions and We Belong Together.
On stage in New York City, however, she didn’t seem to hear a backing track, so stopped pretending to sing and placed a hand on her hip as the vocal track of her voice continued without her.
Furious with the unfolding disaster in front of millions watching in Times Square and at home, Carey, who was dressed in a stunning pink bodysuit, began pacing the stage in frustration.
Lol: One fan wrote: ‘Mariah Carey lip syncing always cracks me up because it’s so blatant. Like she’s not even trying to hide it’
Trying to stay calm, she paused and told the crowd that despite the performance falling apart at the seams, ‘I’m trying to be a good sport here’.
Her backup dancers bravely carried on but quickly became confused, prompting Mariah to say: ‘It is what it is. It just doesn’t get any better’ – at which point she left the stage.
The star let her emotion get the better of her, and also said: ‘I also wanted a holiday. Can’t I just have one?’
Mariah later tried to brush off the big blunder, writing ‘s*** happens’ in an Instagram post after the set
‘We didn’t have a check for this song…we’re missing some of the vocals, but it is what it is. I just let the audience sing,’ said the singer in front of her cock.
Reaction: Fans took to Twitter to question why Mariah lip-synced
Oh dear: Back on NYE 2016, Mariah suffered through a nightmarish train wreck performance in Times Square as technical issues left her completely out of sync with her lip sync job – causing her to storm off stage
‘We didn’t have a sound check for this new year baby, it is what it is.’
‘Please get these monitors.’
At that point Carey seemed to give up, and went to one of her dancers and said, ‘just for laughs, do the lift.’ The dancer then lifted Carey’s leg in the air while singing a few notes.
‘I also wanted a holiday, I can’t just have one’, she said when the first song ended.’
After the second song finished, Mariah sarcastically said, ‘bring the feathers, it just doesn’t get any better’, before walking off.
A crowd of 3 million people gathered on the streets of Manhattan to catch the 96th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
With temperatures soaring into the high 50s on Thursday, along with clear skies, spectators should have a clear view of the 16 giant balloon characters and plethora of performers taking to the streets.
Loved it: Some fans came out to support Mariah’s performance
Details: The star was surrounded by festive dancers as she performed
Glitz: The star wore a bejeweled parasol as she took to the stage
While all eyes were on the parade, viewers may have noticed the absence of The Today Show’s Al Roker who missed the event for the first time in 27 years after being hospitalized for blood clots.
Among those wishing Roker a speedy recovery were President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, who called the show as they also thanked first responders and the troops.
Tweeting on Thursday morning, Roker shared a photo of himself watching the parade from the hospital, enjoying the show on TV like more than 20 million viewers when he noted that he will be discharged in time to eat with his family.
‘So much to be #thankful for on #thanksgiving. Leaving the hospital and home for #thanksgivingdinner,’ Roker wrote.
Despite Roker’s absence, the show went on without the popular host as Broadway singer Lea Michele kicked off the festivities with a performance of ‘Don’t Rain on My Parade’ from her Broadway Show ‘Funny Girl’.
After other Broadway performances, audiences were riveted to Abdul’s energetic performance of her hit, ‘Straight Up’, as the 60-year-old proved she can still wow audiences.
Along with the iconic balloons, the parade also featured 28 floats, 12 marching bands, 700 clowns and several music stars who made their way through on Thanksgiving Day.
Organizers said the parade would begin in the city’s Upper West Side and end at Macy’s iconic store in Herald Square.
The turnout was predicted to include 500,000 more people than last year. The 2020 parade was a TV-only festival due to the pandemic.
Glamour: The star looked sensational as she attended the parade