Mariah Carey, the undisputed Queen of Christmas, overcame a bout of the flu to perform the final show of her annual Christmas tour at the Barclays Center in New York on December 17th. The performance marked a triumphant return after the singer was forced to cancel three previous shows due to illness.
Carey, 55, took to Instagram to express her gratitude to her fans, affectionately known as “Lambs,” for their unwavering support. “Lambs, thank you for making my Christmastime so special ❤️ I’ve loved singing with you every night, and I can’t wait to see you all tomorrow in Brooklyn for the show of the tour,” she shared on December 16th. The announcement came as a welcome relief to fans who had been concerned about the singer’s health and the fate of the final concert.
The cancellations began on December 11th when Carey announced on X (formerly Twitter) that she had to cancel her Pittsburgh show due to the flu. “Pittsburgh, I am sorry to say, I’ve come down with the flu. It breaks my heart that I unfortunately have to cancel tonight’s show. I love you all so much,” she wrote, adding that ticket holders would receive full refunds.
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Two days later, Carey announced the cancellation of two more shows in Newark, New Jersey, and Belmont Park, New York, due to her ongoing illness. “I’m really devastated about it and appreciate your support. Love, MC, 💔,” she posted on X. The news left fans disappointed but understanding, sending well wishes for her speedy recovery.
Prior to confirming her return for the final show, Carey shared a lighthearted message on Instagram, acknowledging her illness while maintaining a positive outlook. “Christmas Time Is In The Air Again ❤️🎄(and so are the germs that got me sick, but let’s stay positive!),” she quipped.
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Carey’s Christmas Time tour, announced in August, promised fans a spectacular holiday experience with new songs, duets, and surprises. In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Carey revealed she had been working tirelessly on the tour and collaborated with talented individuals like Debbie Allen.
Adding to the festive cheer, Billboard announced that Carey’s iconic holiday anthem, “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” topped the Hot 100 chart for the 16th week, tying with her other hit, “One Sweet Day.” Carey celebrated the achievement on her Instagram Stories, expressing her excitement and gratitude for the continued success of the beloved Christmas classic. The news coincided perfectly with her return to the stage, making the final concert an even more significant event for both Carey and her fans. The successful conclusion of the tour, despite the health setback, solidified Carey’s status as a Christmas icon and brought joy to countless fans during the holiday season.
