Mariah Carey Opens Christmas Day NFL Games with Holiday Performance

Mariah Carey brought holiday spirit to the NFL's Christmas Day games with a vibrant performance. The Grammy-winning artist, 55, opened both matchups — the Kansas City Chiefs vs. Pittsburgh Steelers at 1 p.m. ET and the Baltimore Ravens vs. Houston Texans at 4:30 p.m. ET, streamed on Netflix. She performed her iconic hit "All I Want for Christmas Is You," showcasing a stunning red sequin bodysuit. Dancers dressed as Nutcracker figures accompanied her on the rooftop stage.

Released 30 years ago, "All I Want for Christmas Is You" served as the lead single from Carey’s first holiday album, Merry Christmas, launched in 1994. Since its debut, the song remains popular, achieving 16 times platinum certification. This milestone makes it the highest-certified single by a female artist.

In November, Carey shared insights about the song's creation during an interview with ABC News. Reflecting on the process, she stated, "I was working on it by myself...on this little Casio keyboard, writing down words and thinking about, ‘What do I think of at Christmas?’" This sentiment sparked the song's idea. She aimed to create a timeless track that transcended the '90s era of its inception.

Three decades later, "All I Want for Christmas Is You" continues to resonate, which Carey attributes to her genuine passion for Christmas. She declares, "It’s not fake." Despite this true affection, Carey almost didn’t record her 1994 Christmas album. In a separate November interview with The New York Times, she expressed skepticism, believing it was premature in her career. In the end, her love for the holiday shined through, leading her to be known as the queen of Christmas.

This year, Carey enhanced her holiday spirit with the 16-date Merry Christmas One and All Tour, spanning from November 15 to December 17 across the United States and Canada. In contrast, her 2023 season featured only four shows in Toronto and New York City. She commented, "Last year we didn’t go, like, across the country. So this year we’re doing that."

Carey expressed hopes for the tour to provide her fans with "the merriest of Christmases" and promote togetherness during the holiday. Additionally, she hinted at new music in development, mentioning she has been "writing new songs" and collaborating in the studio "with a choir."

Earlier, SSP wrote that Heidi Klum celebrated Christmas with family in Aspen, sledding in matching pajamas.