Mariah Carey Returns to New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Redemption and New Hits
Mariah Carey is embracing the new year with grace, glam, and a powerful performance to match. On December 31, 2025, the Grammy-winning singer made a triumphant return to Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest, performing live from Las Vegas — nine years after her infamous technical mishap during the 2016 broadcast in Times Square.
This year’s set featured a confident and vocally strong Carey as she delivered three songs: her 2009 hit “Obsessed”, fan-favorite “It’s Like That”, and her latest release “In Your Feelings.” The night marked a full-circle moment for the artist, who has long since moved past the challenges of her 2016 performance.
A Glance Back at 2016
During her 2016 appearance in Times Square, Carey struggled with audio problems, particularly during her performance of “Emotions.” Without proper sound check and unable to hear the backing track, she attempted to continue with grace, telling the crowd, “It is what it is.” The issue persisted into her closer, “We Belong Together,” where a mistimed audio track ultimately led her to walk off stage, visibly frustrated.
After the live mishap, Carey responded on social media, writing, “S— happens. Have a happy and healthy new year everybody! Here’s to making more headlines in 2017.” She followed the post with a signature GIF of herself, acknowledging the moment with trademark humor.
In a January 2017 interview with Entertainment Weekly, she revealed her deeper feelings: “I was mortified. All I can say is Dick Clark was an incredible person, and I was lucky enough to work with him when I first started in the music business. I’m of the opinion that Dick Clark would not have let an artist go through that.”
Back on Stage — and in Control
Just eleven months after the 2016 show, Carey made her first return to the Rockin’ Eve stage, delivering a flawless medley of “Vision of Love” and “Hero.” But it was her 2025 comeback that felt especially poignant — a bold, unapologetic reminder of why she remains one of pop’s most enduring icons.
Her Las Vegas performance brought confidence and clarity. Carey’s vocals were strong, her stage presence unwavering, and the crowd responded with thunderous applause. For longtime fans, the moment wasn’t just about music — it was about resilience and reinvention.
A Star-Studded Night Across the Globe
While Carey headlined in Las Vegas alongside 50 Cent and Demi Lovato, the Times Square stage in New York was lit up by a spectacular set from Diana Ross, performing a medley of her most iconic hits. The Big Apple also welcomed performances by Maren Morris, Little Big Town, Ciara, and Le Sserafim.
The celebration spanned multiple cities, with Post Malone performing from Nashville, Chappell Roan in Kansas City, and Daddy Yankee joining from Puerto Rico — making the 2026 countdown a truly global affair.
But for many viewers, it was Mariah Carey’s commanding return that stole the spotlight — proving once again that legends never fade, they simply rise.