International music icon Mariah Carey has praised the Brighton Pride audience as “amazing,” reflecting on her electrifying headline performance at the city’s renowned festival. The singer, with a celebrated career spanning nearly four decades and boasting over 220 million albums sold across the globe, took centre stage at Preston Park last Saturday, leading the festivities for Brighton and Hove Pride.
Carey, 56, who has five Grammy Awards to her name, shared her heartfelt admiration for the crowd during a conversation on the Scott Mills Breakfast Show on BBC Radio 2. “I loved it. The people were amazing, and just being there amongst friends was really nice,” the singer told listeners. A sea of fans filled the park, many of whom had eagerly anticipated her arrival as the main attraction.
Her setlist was a journey through some of her most cherished hits, including the inspirational ballad ‘Hero’ and the upbeat favourite ‘Fantasy’. In addition, concertgoers had the exclusive treat of hearing ‘Sugar Sweet’, a new single from her forthcoming sixteenth studio album, ‘Here For It All’, which is set for release this September.
On stage, Carey made a fashion statement that resonated deeply with the event’s spirit. She appeared in a dazzling ensemble of pink, blue, and silver, echoing the stripes of the transgender flag. The words “protect the dolls” adorned her jacket – a direct nod to inclusivity and advocacy for the LGBT+ community, a theme woven throughout both her career and the Pride festival itself.
Discussing her ongoing support for LGBT+ causes, Carey reflected on her personal history and deep bond with the community. “I feel like there’s a mutual love between us,” she said. “I kind of grew up in a situation where my mother had two friends, and they were my guncles (gay uncles)… I would put on plays for my guncles and do all this stuff. It really helped me, being around all different people.” Her remarks highlighted how diversity and acceptance have shaped both her outlook and her artistry.
In a lighter moment during her interview, Mariah recounted a humorous anecdote about her jet-setting lifestyle. When asked about maintaining her signature glamorous look, she revealed she has been known to wake up from a flight to a “full face of makeup”. She explained, “My makeup artist, Kristofer Buckle, would just do my face while I was sleeping on the plane, and I’d wake up ready for the next country.” She added that her hairdresser often contributed too, ensuring her iconic style was picture-perfect even at 35,000 feet.
Carey has also recently found herself in the spotlight for her take on ageing. In an interview with Harper’s Bazaar UK, she cheekily insisted that ageing “just doesn’t happen” in her world, refusing to mark the passing of time – a comment that generated much discussion from fans and media alike.
Since making her debut in the late 1980s, Mariah Carey has established herself as a dominant force in popular music. In the UK alone, she has secured three chart-topping singles and two number one albums. Of course, many listeners instantly associate her with the perennial festive anthem ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’, a song that reliably dominates the airwaves each December.
Her appearance at Brighton Pride not only underscored her enduring appeal but also reinforced the festival’s message of acceptance and celebration of diversity. As anticipation builds for her next album and continued advocacy, Carey’s impact on both music and culture remains as powerful as ever.