Mariah Carey Makes Her Triumphant Return to New Year's Rockin' Eve With a Medley and a Joke

After a disastrous NYE 2016, Mimi came back to Ryan Seacrest's extravaganza and even joked about last year's epic fail

By Meg Swertlow Jan 01, 2018 4:57 AMTags
Mariah Carey, New Years EveTaylor Hill/FilmMagic

After last year's epic mishap and ensuing drama on Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest, Mariah Carey made sure she made a big comeback for this year's second chance—and she did not disappoint!

The big-voiced singer razzled and dazzled during her New Year's Eve performance on Sunday night, singing not one, but two songs for the freezing crowd. 

The notorious diva wowed with her glittering medley of "Vision of Love" and "Hero" and even made a joke at her own expense, saying to the audience that the night was a "disaster" because she didn't have her hot tea.

"They told me there would be hot tea," she quipped.

 

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Dick Clark's New Years Rockin' Eve With Ryan Seacrest 2018 Celebrity Lineup
@erica0808m/@asong_stagram/Instagram
Mariah Carey/Instagram

Earlier in the day, the 47-year-old singer prepped for the big comeback by rehearsing in Times Square. The smiling big-voiced singer was caught by fan Dyana (and shared by Erica0808m) getting in a last-minute rehearsal before her late-night set.

The singer, who was with Bryan Tanaka, donned a golden bomber jacket, black pants and some sky-high boots for the run through.

After the rehearsal, the "Sweet Fantasy" hitmaker took to her Instagram to share some positive (but chilly) vibes with her fans, writing, "Festive even in single digits! See you tonight, everybody!!"

Anthony Behar/Sipa via AP Images

Carey headlined the night of music and festivities, along with performers Camila CabelloNick Jonas and Sugarland who gave music for the masses in Times Square. 

Alessia Cara, Florida Georgia Line, Halsey and Hailee Steinfeld also joined the lineup for the special's West Coast celebration

AlessoG-EazyPortugal. The ManBebe Rexhawatt and Zedd also hit the stage.

On Dec. 22, dick clark productions and ABC today announced that multi-platinum selling songstress would be returning to Times Square to perform for a live audience of more than one million people, just minutes before the ball drops on NYE.

Previously, Carey appeared on Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve in 2005. She came back and made headlines last year due to a disastrous performance, after which she said, "It became an opportunity to humiliate me."

But it looks like Carey changed her tune.

At the time of the announcement, both the singer and dick clark productions gave a statement to E! News: "We can all agree that last year didn't go exactly as planned and we are thrilled to move forward together to provide America with an incredible night of music and celebration on Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2018. See you in Times Square!" 

She came, she saw, she conquered!