Mariah Carey is set to bring her iconic American pop-star presence to the opening ceremony of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. The local organizing committee announced on Monday that the 56-year-old Carey, known for her hit song “All I Want for Christmas is You,” will be the first international artist to perform at the ceremony, scheduled for February 6 at Milan’s San Siro soccer stadium.

Carey expressed her excitement for the event, stating “Ci vediamo a Milano” — which translates to “See you in Milan” — on her Instagram account. While Mariah Carey has previously sung the U.S. national anthem at the 2002 Super Bowl, this marks her debut performance at a halftime show. Throughout her illustrious career, she has been awarded six Grammy awards and has seen 19 of her songs reach No. 1 on the Billboard charts, earning her the distinction of the fourth greatest recording artist of all time, following the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, and Elton John.

The opening ceremony is expected to draw a crowd of 60,000 spectators, with millions more tuning in from around the globe. The organizing committee stated, “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, intertwining with the opening ceremony’s theme of harmony.”

In addition to Carey’s performance, the ceremony will also pay tribute to the late fashion designer Giorgio Armani, who passed away at his home in Milan in September at the age of 91. This tribute highlights the significance of fashion and culture within the context of the Olympics.

The Games will take place across northern Italy, with smaller simultaneous opening ceremonies planned for three mountain clusters. The primary ceremony at San Siro, which serves as the home ground for both Inter Milan and AC Milan soccer clubs, is notable as it is slated for demolition and replacement with a new stadium following the conclusion of the Games.

Furthermore, internationally acclaimed ballet star Roberto Bolle will headline the closing ceremony, set to take place at Verona’s ancient Roman Arena on February 22. This showcases the cultural richness that both the opening and closing ceremonies will highlight, making the 2026 Winter Olympics an anticipated event in the world of sports and entertainment.