(Photo by Denise Truscello/Getty Images for Live Nation Las Vegas)
With the announcement that Mariah Carey will be performing at the Olympic Games, she will be adding yet another momentous chapter to a career that has already been filled with significant milestones. A big new chart record was set for her most famous Christmas song on the same day that the Grammy-winning diva was revealed to be the first main artist for the Opening Ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina.
The announcement came on the same day that she accomplished a major new record for her song. On Monday, December 15, 2026, the organizers of the Olympic Games stated that Carey would be participating in the Opening Ceremony that will take place on February 6, 2026.
The news was made public via the official Instagram account for the Olympic Games, which teased the moment by describing it as “a performance set to define an unforgettable Opening Ceremony performance.” In spite of the fact that specifics about the set are being kept under wraps, the description alone indicates that Carey’s performance is anticipated to be one of the most memorable aspects of the event.
According to the report, Carey is now a member of a select group of musicians from across the world who have contributed to the atmosphere of previous Olympic Games. The purpose of the opening ceremonies is to highlight not only the achievements of athletes but also cultural and musical icons that have a global appeal. Carey’s selection highlights the fact that she has maintained her international reach for more than three decades in her career.
In a few hours following the announcement of the Olympic Games, Carey accomplished yet another significant milestone that further solidified her cultural supremacy. Her holiday song from 1994, “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” made its way back to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 list on December 20, extending its record-breaking streak at the top of the chart to a total of twenty weeks. There is no other song in the history of the Hot 100 that has been at number one for as long as this one has.
The feat was recognized by Carey via a joyful post on Instagram, in which she made a subtle connection between the chart triumph and her recently announced involvement in the Olympic Games. The flame is being humbly taken back by me! Twenty weeks at the top spot. She wrote, “I am so thankful,” and accompanied it with an emoji of a red heart.
The picture that accompanied the tweet had Carey standing in front of a Christmas tree that was decked with lights while carrying a golden torch that was glowing. She was wearing a bodysuit that was a dazzling red color and was trimmed with white fur. The image was generally perceived as a fun homage to the Olympics, mixing her vacation demeanor with the symbolism of the Games. This interpretation was universally accepted.
The song “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” which was first published over thirty years ago, has developed into one of the most powerful recurrent songs in the history of music. Every year during the Christmas season, the song makes its way back into the charts, but its ability to recapture the number one slot year after year has been unparalleled. As a result of her most recent trip to the top spot, Carey now owns two significant records for the longest span of time on the Hot 100.
It was in 1996 that she first established a long-lasting landmark with her collaboration with Boyz II Men, titled “One Sweet Day,” which remained at the top of the charts for sixteen weeks. When the run was being evaluated, it was regarded as practically unbeatable. Today, All I Want for Christmas Is You has not only gone even farther, but it has also firmly established itself as the most dominating chart-topper that the Hot 100 has ever seen.
As of right now, the Christmas anthem is capable of standing on its own, exceeding the previous record that was held by Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus’ Old Town Road, which was at the top of the charts for 19 weeks in 2019. This record was eventually equaled by Shaboozey’s Tipsy (A Bar Song) in the year 2024; Carey’s Christmas hit has since surpassed both of those songs.
Both of these announcements, coming at the same time, draw attention to Carey’s unique place in the world of popular culture. Only a select few musicians can simultaneously dominate the charts and play a leading role at one of the most-well-viewed worldwide events on the globe.
At a time when her legacy is continuing to grow rather than diminishing, her forthcoming Olympic performance is scheduled to take place. With Carey’s participation, the Opening Ceremony will get more star power and attention from across the world as the excitement around the Milano Cortina Games continues to increase.
Whether she performs from her seasonal repertoire, does a performance that spans her whole career, or introduces something completely new, there is one certain thing: Mariah Carey’s appearance at the 2026 Winter Olympics is already building up to be an event that will be remembered for generations to come.
