Mariah Carey halts Brighton Pride performance for iconic on-stage diva demand
Mariah Carey has taken centre stage at Brighton Pride this weekend, headlining the Pride on the Park event at Preston Park on Saturday, August 2, in a performance fans have been waiting for since her originally planned appearance in 2020 was cancelled due to the pandemic.
The global superstar, 56, famous for hits such as Fantasy, Hero and We Belong Together, has not performed in the UK since her Royal Albert Hall concerts in 2019.
Her Brighton show marked her first UK performance in six years and one of only a handful of international dates confirmed for 2025. It comes after the US singer insisted that ageing 'just doesn't happen' to her in candid admission.
As fans sang along in their thousands, they were surprised as Mariah suddenly halted her performance to ask some very unlikely people on stage.
The American songstress told the crowd that she needed a 'touch up' before continuing with her performance. She then called for her glam squad and hair team to come out on stage do top up her makeup and bouncy curls.
Speaking to The Mirror, a Mariah fan at Pride said: "What Mariah wants, Mariah must get. She called her makeup and hair team to the stage to touch up her hair and makeup. As she should, the queen that she is.
"She was absolutely incredible and just goes to show that even though she's one of the biggest stars on the planet, she has no qualms about wanting to look her best - like all of us."
Ahead of the event, Carey teased her arrival in a playful TikTok video, showing herself boarding a private jet in Paris wearing a sleek black Prada dress and Louboutin boots.
She captioned the clip with: 'Nothing beats going to Brighton Pride!!', sending her fans into a frenzy online.
Organisers hailed Carey's performance as a major moment for the festival. Brighton Pride's managing director described her as a 'global icon' whose appearance would be 'truly momentous' for the city's LGBTQ+ celebration.
The setlist is a mix of timeless classics and tracks from her forthcoming album Here for It All, due for release in September. Crowd favourites include Fantasy, Emotions, We Belong Together and Always Be My Baby, alongside her new single Sugar Sweet.
Fans have been ecstatic both online and in person. 'I booked my tickets months ago - it's the first time I've seen her live after 18 years of being a fan,' one attendee said.
Another added: 'It's so important to see our legends while they're still performing. She was incredible.'
This year's Pride event was expected to draw crowds of over 300,000, matching last year's record turnout.
Carey headlines Saturday night, with support acts including Slayyyter, Loreen, Ashnikko, Bimini and Sister Sledge featuring Kathy Sledge. On Sunday, the main stage will be closed by the Sugababes following the band's incredible reunion.
And Carey's appearance was more than just a headline performance. It was a long‑awaited reunion with her UK fans, a celebration of her enduring music career, and a major highlight for Brighton Pride.
For many, tonight is a stark reminder of why she remains one of the most celebrated vocalists and performers in pop history.
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