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-synching.
The 52-year-old singer, who has dubbed herself the “Queen of Christmas,” was in her element as she performed All I Want For Christmas Is You to the Manhattan crowds while wearing a red dress and sparkly tiara.
Mariah performed a lavish celebratory performance surrounded by dancers in matching marching attire that officially ushered in the holiday season in New York and the United States.
However, the star, who had previously landed in hot water for dodgy facial expressions, was again accused of “blatant lip-synching” after fans noted that her flawless vocals sounded very similar to the 1994 recorded version of the track.
Has 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 were quick to call her out for lip-synching
One fan wrote: “Mariah Carey’s lip syncing always SEND me because it’s so obvious. Like she’s not even trying to hide it.”
Another typed: “So @MariahCarey doesn’t sing foreal anymore? Smh’, while a third typed, ‘Wish I could get paid to stand up and look cute with Mariah Carey lip syncing…that chick 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 lip synced. What a shock’ while another typed: What a great performance by #MariahCarey totally live!! lol
To return; The 52-year-old singer, who has dubbed herself the “Queen of Christmas,” was in her element as she performed All I Want For Christmas Is You in front of the Manhattan crowds while wearing a red dress and sparkly tiara
Oh dear: The star, who previously threw herself in hot water over dodgy facial expressions, was again accused of “apparent lip-synching” after fans remarked that her flawless vocals sounded very similar to the 1994 recorded version of the track
Back on New Year’s Eve 2016, Mariah suffered a nightmarish train wreck performance in Times Square when technical issues caused her to get out of sync with her lip-sync track – which resulted in her storming off the stage.
The megastar diva was set to ring in 2017 and bid farewell to 2016’s traditional ball drop by performing two hits, Emotions and We Belong Together.
On stage in New York City, however, she couldn’t seem to hear a backing track, so she stopped pretending to sing and rested a hand on her hip as the vocal track of her voice continued without her.
Enraged by the looming disaster in front of millions in Times Square and at home watching, Carey, dressed in a stunning pink bodysuit, began pacing the stage in frustration.
Lol: One fan wrote: “Mariah Carey’s lip syncing always SEND me because it’s so obvious. Like she wasn’t even trying to hide it.
Trying to keep calm, she stopped and told the crowd that although the performance was crumbling at the seams, “I’m trying to be a good sport here.”
Her backup dancers valiantly carried on but quickly became confused, prompting Mariah to say, “It is what it is. It just doesn’t get any better’ – at that point she walked off the stage.
The star let the emotions wash over her and also said: “I wanted a vacation too. Can’t I just have one?’
Mariah later tried to make up for the big mistake by writing in an Instagram post after the set, “S*** Happened”.
“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,” the singer said before her outburst.
Reaction: Fans took to Twitter to ask why Mariah was lip syncing
Oh dear: Back on New Year’s Eve 2016, Mariah suffered a nightmarish train wreck performance in Times Square when technical issues caused her to get out of sync with her lip-sync track – resulting in her storming off the stage
“We didn’t have a sound check for this New Year’s baby, it is what it is.”
“Turn on those monitors, please.”
At this point, Carey seemed to give up and walked over to one of her dancers and said, “Just for fun, do the lift.” The dancer then lifted Carey’s leg into the air while she sang a few notes.
“I wanted a vacation too, can’t I just have one,” she said as the first song ended.
After the second song ended, Mariah sarcastically said, “Bring the feathers, it just doesn’t get any better” before walking away.
A crowd of 3 million people gathered on Manhattan’s streets to watch the 96th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
With temperatures soaring to over 50 degrees on Thursday and clear skies, spectators should have had a clear view of the 16 giant balloon figures and multitude of performers taking to the streets.
Loved it: Some fans supported Mariah’s performance
Details: The star was surrounded by celebratory dancers during her performance
Glitz: The star wore a jeweled 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 with a blood clot.
Among those wishing Roker a speedy recovery were President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, who joined the show when they also thanked first responders and the troops.
Roker tweeted Thursday morning, sharing a picture of himself watching the parade from the hospital and enjoying the show on TV with more than 20 million viewers as he realized he was being released in time to have dinner 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 opened the celebrations with a performance of “Don’t Rain on My Parade” from her Broadway show Funny Girl.
After other Broadway appearances, viewers were fixated on Abdul’s energetic performance of her hit “Straight Up,” as the 60-year-old proved she can still wow audiences.
In addition to the iconic balloons, the parade also included 28 floats, 12 marching bands, 700 clowns and several music stars making their way through the parade on Thanksgiving Day.
Organizers said the parade would begin on the city’s Upper West Side and end at the iconic Macy’s store in Herald Square.
The number of visitors was forecast at 500,000 more people than in the previous year. The 2020 parade was a TV-only festival due to the pandemic.
Glamour: The star looked sensational as she took part in the parade