Pop star Mariah Carey kicked off the 365-day countdown to Expo 2020 Dubai on Sunday as she called on thousands of screaming fans to "be there" for the opening next year.
Seven events to mark one year until the Expo were held across the Emirates in an effort to get the whole country excited for the World's Fair. At the special free concert at Burj Park in Dubai, Carey took to the stage in a gold sparkling gown, belting classic songs to a cheering crowd.
"I'm so excited to be here at an event being celebrated across the country. It's so festive here in Dubai," the American singer-songwriter said.
Carey opened her set with A No No, a hit single from her most recent album Caution. She followed it up with all-time favourite classic, Dream Lover, released in 1993, as the audience sang along. "Make sure to be there at the Expo 2020 next year," she told the audience.
The singer stuck to fan favourites, singing songs from the 90s and early 2000s including Let It Happen and I'll Be There before turning the performance into a family affair and bringing her two children on stage.
Waving to fans, many of whom danced while cradling young children, Carey kept the 7,500- strong crowd engaged by chatting about her song writing journey and asked if they knew remix versions.
While singing Always Be My Baby she was joined on stage with her eight-year-old twins, Moroccan and Monroe, who sang a few lines from the chorus. Moroccan then broke into a few dance moves and told the diva, "You will always be my mommy."
Carey came to the stage shortly after a fireworks display and laser light show emanated from Burj Khalifa, at exactly 8.20pm (or 20:20). Enthusiastic fans gathered an hour before the event, eagerly anticipating the star-studded performances that included a set by Emirati crooner Hussain Al Jassmi.
"I'm such a huge Mariah fan and sing her songs to my children so they know her too," said Jessy Lucas, from Britain, who brought three children to the Burj celebrations. "With Mariah here in the UAE one year before the expo, it will be amazing to know who will the main acts during the expo."
(The National)
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