The Mariah Carey concert in Singapore on 8 October 2025 has gone viral after videos emerged online showing fans being told to sit during the performance. The event, held at Arena @ Expo Singapore, drew around 6,600 attendees as part of the singer's "The Celebration of Mimi Tour".
What was expected to be a night of singing and dancing turned into an online debate about concert etiquette after several TikTok videos captured audience disputes between seated and standing fans.
Multiple clips on TikTok sparked the controversy. One of the most shared videos featured user Sha_Nikita recounting an exchange with a fellow concert-goer. She said: "When I came to my seat, there was this lady sitting behind us going, 'You need to sit. Sit down. This is a sitting concert.'" Her friend responded that they intended to stand because it was a Mariah Carey concert.
Another viral moment showed a man dancing and being told he was blocking someone's view. In the clip, the man shrugged off the request from another fan and continued to have the time of his life in a Mariah Carey concert.
The disagreement quickly spread beyond the concert hall, with fans weighing in on whether concertgoers should remain seated or be allowed to stand and dance during live performances.
Mariah Carey delivered a polished performance, moving through a catalogue of her greatest hits. Reviews from The Straits Times described the concert as "a well-oiled machine" and praised the singer for breezing through her setlist with trademark vocal precision.
Despite the singer's energy on stage, parts of the audience were visibly subdued, remaining in their seats. Some attendees described the atmosphere as "zombie-like" in comments shared online, pointing out that only certain sections of the crowd were standing and singing along.
TikTok user advlogss summed up the frustration felt by some fans: "I want to enjoy my time. I want to dance." His post received thousands of likes and comments, reflecting a growing sentiment that some concert audiences in the city are too reserved.
This is not the first time a major concert in Singapore has sparked debate over standing versus sitting. Local media highlighted that similar incidents have occurred at past events. Commentators noted that Singaporean concert audiences are typically more restrained compared to those in Western countries.
Joe Borg, a concert attendee interviewed by The New Paper, said Singaporean crowds tend to be "more reserved and calmer" with less alcohol consumption and rowdiness. This cultural difference may explain why many audience members remained seated during Mariah Carey's high-energy performance.
The viral incident has sparked broader discussions about live performance etiquette. Some fans argued that standing and dancing are integral parts of a concert experience, especially for pop icons like Mariah Carey. Others defended the right to stay seated, citing comfort and visibility concerns.
On HardwareZone forums, one commenter wrote: "What if that person has a condition and can't stand for long?" Another countered: "If you're going to sit quietly and record, just stay home and watch YouTube."
The debate has raised questions about whether concert organisers should clarify standing policies before shows. Some fans have suggested implementing standing and seated zones to avoid future disputes at major concerts in Singapore.
Despite the online backlash over the crowd's energy, Mariah Carey's "The Celebration of Mimi Tour" continues to draw strong attendance internationally. The Singapore leg remains one of the most talked-about stops of the tour, not for the performance itself but for the viral moment that has ignited a nationwide conversation about concert culture and audience expectations.
(International Business Times)
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