Mariah Carey, 56, commanded a Las Vegas crowd at the iHeartRadio Music Festival on Saturday, wearing a black latex mini dress that showcased her enduring silhouette. The form-fitting, zippered number was paired with black tights and knee-high leather boots, a statement look complemented by sparkling jewelry and beach-wave hair reminiscent of her 1990s heyday. Carey delivered a polished set that highlighted her longevity as a live performer, moving through a high-energy show that kept fans singing along. The performance comes as she outlines a busy touring slate, including a residency at Dolby Live in Las Vegas titled Mariah Carey's Christmastime in Las Vegas, set to kick off November 28. Additional international dates are expected later in the year for an Australian leg that will bring her to Brisbane, Perth, and Docklands.
Carey's Vegas appearance followed a widely discussed moment at the MTV Video Music Awards earlier this month. The party, held at the private members' club The Twenty Two, featured Carey crooning the 2002 hit I Know What You Want alongside rapper Busta Rhymes. Attendees described the moment as uneven: she appeared a touch sleepy as she waited for the rhythm, then started singing more slowly than usual, eventually closing her eyes as she focused on her voice. The moment drew attention from outlets and social media, with Daily Mail reporting the incident and noting Carey's remarks about her new project. A representative for Carey was not immediately available for comment at the time. Reports from The Sun offered additional color, describing Carey's late-night energy and noting an apparent inebriation by some accounts.
Earlier that month, Carey also took the stage at the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, during the MTV VMAs ceremonies, where she wore a gold look and accepted an award alongside Ariana Grande. The VMAs run included moments when Carey teased new material and teased the crowd about a September 26 album release date for Here for It All, as she interacted with the audience and colleagues. The artist’s public appearances have continued to spark conversations about her performance style and longevity as a marquee pop icon, even as some outlets have questioned the readiness and consistency of high-profile appearances.
Looking ahead, Carey is slated to launch a national tour in conjunction with the Las Vegas residency, with the Christmastime in Las Vegas dates at Dolby Live kicking off November 28. The tour schedule also outlines international stops later this year, including Australia’s Brisbane and Perth, before a Docklands stop in Melbourne. The performances continue a long-running pattern for Carey, blending her holiday repertoire with selections from her vast catalog, and they come as her team maintains a busy calendar of live and studio appearances through the year.