Mariah Carey’s holiday NFL show stirs up controversy

Mariah Carey’s appearance in the NFL’s first-ever Christmas Gameday broadcast has sparked a wave of mixed reactions on social media.

The 55-year-old, known for her holiday classic All I Want for Christmas Is You, performed a shortened version of the song before the Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Kansas City Chiefs game, as part of the NFL’s special Christmas programming.

Carey appeared in a festive red one-piece with gold tassels on the set against a winter wonderland backdrop.

The performance, which included footage of NFL game highlights and staged fans watching at home and in bars, aimed to add a holiday touch to the football broadcast.

While some fans embraced the performance, with one writing, “So cute and festive! @NFL @MariahCarey We NEED a Super Bowl halftime show moment in 2026.”

A number of viewers took to social media, with one commenting, “This Mariah Carey performance feels like a Netflix commercial,” critiquing the segment's commercialized feel.

The performance comes during a milestone year for Mariah Carey, marking the 30th anniversary of her holiday album Merry Christmas, which includes the record-breaking hit All I Want for Christmas Is You.

The success of the album helped to cement Carey’s status as the “Queen of Christmas,” a title she continues to embrace.