Theo Wargo/Getty ImagesUPDATE: After reports surfaced alleging that Mariah Carey felt Dick Clark Productions set her up in order to increase ratings for their "New Year's Rockin' Eve" show, ABC issued the following statement to E! News:
"As the premier producer of live television events for nearly 50 years, we pride ourselves on our reputation and long-standing relationships with artists. To suggest that dcp, as producer of music shows including the American Music Awards, Billboard Music Awards, New Year's Rockin' Eve and Academy of Country Music Awards, would ever intentionally compromise the success of any artist is defamatory, outrageous and frankly absurd.
In very rare instances there are of course technical errors that can occur with live television, however, an initial investigation has indicated that dcp had no involvement in the challenges associated with Ms. Carey's New Year's Eve performance. We want to be clear that we have the utmost respect for Ms. Carey as an artist and acknowledge her tremendous accomplishments in the industry."
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Onstage at the Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve With Ryan Seacrest event in Times Square, the singer experienced technical difficulties that affected the backing track, which in turn affected her ability to lip sync and sing properly. Carey continued her performance in stride, enlisting the help of the audience and her backup dancers.
"S--t happens," Carey tweeted early Sunday. "Have a happy and healthy new year everybody! Here's to making more headlines in 2017."
Carey had opened her set with her 1991 hit song "Emotions," but when the music started to play, only her pre-recorded vocals could be heard.
"Well, happy new year. We can't hear," she told the crowd, as her dancers continued their routine. "I'll just get through the moment, okay?"
"Alright!" she said. "We didn't have a check for this song. So we'll just say, it went to number one, and that's what it is, okay?"
Carey continued to walk slowly onstage and attempt to perform to the music, looking a bit annoyed but with a smile of her face. Meanwhile, her dancers danced their choreographed routine.
"We're missing some of these vocals, but it is what it is," she said. "I'm going to say let the audience sing, okay? We didn't have a soundcheck but it's New Year's baby. That's okay, you guys."
That was...amazing," she said.
Carey then started to perform her 2005 hit ballad "We Belong Together."
"This is the album version, so I'm just going to let you put this thing on me and sing along," she told the crowd, sounding annoyed.
Carey again took it in stride, lip synching part of the album version of the song.
"It just don't get any better," she told the crowd as the track ended.
Watch a brand-new episode of Mariah's World tonight on E! at 9 p.m.!
(This story was first published on Jan. 1, 2017, at 8:32 a.m.)