This holiday season, all Mariah Carey is wishing for is a chance to make things right. And it appears Santa has delivered. Following her highly problematic performance from last year, the pop icon is heading back to Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve for an opportunity to redeem herself.
Carey is set to be the headliner for the 46th annual broadcast, performing just before the iconic ball descends and over a million people welcome 2018 in Times Square. Dick Clark Productions and Carey confirmed this news together in a joint announcement:
During her 2016 set, nearly every possible mishap occurred. Carey reportedly couldn’t hear anything through her in-ear monitors, and the teleprompter showing the song lyrics also malfunctioned (Editor’s note: Why would someone need the lyrics displayed for their own tracks, though?).
Faced with these technical glitches, the singer essentially halted her performance. She strolled around the stage while a pre-recorded track played, voiced her frustration with the issues, and occasionally engaged with the crowd.
In the wake of that awkward moment, a war of words erupted. Carey’s camp accused Dick Clark Productions of deliberately sabotaging her act to generate buzz and headlines. DCP dismissed those claims as “defamatory” and stated that their internal review showed the company had “no role in the difficulties surrounding [Carey’s performance].” Carey even parted ways with her longtime choreographer Anthony Burrell as a result of the incident.
Now, a year later, it appears both sides have settled their differences. Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest will air live on Sunday, December 31 at 8:00 p.m. EST on ABC.
