Mariah Carey is renowned for her impressive vocal range and chart-topping hits, so when she touched down in Australia last week to perform here for the first time in 11 years, fans expected a spectacular show from the diva. However, many have been left disappointed, describing Carey's performances as "stiff" and lacking energy.
On Friday, Carey performed alongside US singers Wiz Khalifa and Jordin Sparks at the Fridayz Live festival, which kicked off in Brisbane. The 56-year-old showed off her physique in a sheer-sequined number as she took to the stage after Pitbull's high-energy performance, which had the crowd jumping.
While Carey's fans loved her for her powerful vocals rather than elaborate dance routines, many were underwhelmed by her largely motionless performance. The mum of 14-year-old twins was undeniably relaxed on stage as she sang through a set that was heavy on her '90s classics, including Fantasy, Always Be My Baby, and Emotions. She even entertained the crowd by trying Vegemite on stage.
Carey went on to showcase songs from her new album Here For It All, before finishing the performance with powerhouse ballad We Belong Together. Despite giving the crowd a hit-filled set, many later vented their complaints on social media, saying the five-time Grammy winner didn't put enough effort into the show, cruelly blaming her age for her apparent lack of energy.
"I don't understand. She's hardly that old, but she's carrying on like she's collecting a pension," one person commented on TikTok. "Lip syncing," someone else posted, claiming Carey wasn't singing live at all. "She was never stiff like this. What happened?" another questioned.
Now, the superstar's most loyal followers have come out in her defence, claiming there's more to her sluggish stage presence than her age or what some claimed was simply laziness. Carey's defenders say she suffers from a condition called fibromyalgia - a chronic disorder characterised by widespread pain and other symptoms such as fatigue, muscle stiffness and insomnia.
"I wish people who were true fans would stop about how stiff Mariah is," one TikTok user posted. "I am a huge fan and I suffer from what she suffers with. It's fibromyalgia. It's not a fake disease, it affects everything in the body. It's really disheartening and hard. It gets worse with age."
Carey has never confirmed a fibromyalgia diagnosis, but it's not the first time fans have claimed the condition is behind her lack of energy on stage. Back in February, her fans raised concerns after one of her Las Vegas residency shows. In video footage from the concert, she appeared uncharacteristically stiff, prompting concern for her wellbeing.
Despite the mixed reviews in Brisbane, Carey pressed on with the Sydney leg of the Fridayz Live tour, adding three songs to her set on Saturday night, including her iconic Christmas anthem All I Want for Christmas Is You.
(7News)
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