MILAN – Adding a touch of American pop-star glamour, Mariah Carey is set to perform at the opening ceremony for the forthcoming Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.

This announcement came from the local organizing committee on Monday, revealing that the 56-year-old singer of the iconic holiday hit “All I Want for Christmas is You” is the inaugural international artist slated to take the stage at the February 6 event at Milan’s San Siro soccer stadium.

“Mariah Carey perfectly embodies the emotional ambiance that leads up to the Games,” stated the committee. “Music serves as a universal language that unites various stories and sensibilities, seamlessly blending with the opening ceremony’s theme of harmony.”

The Games will be spread over northern Italy, and simultaneous but smaller opening ceremonies are to be held in three mountain clusters as well.

Internationally acclaimed ballet star Roberto Bolle will headline the closing ceremony, which is slated for Verona’s ancient Roman Arena on Feb. 22.

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AP Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics