Fans Discuss Mariah Carey's Recent Performance as She Appears to Be 'In a Lot of Pain' – Video

A fan video of Mariah Carey's recent performance has the public discussing the singer's movements. Such comments come after the star received criticism while wearing a sultry festive outfit last year.

Iconic music diva Mariah Carey recently took to the stage for a concert, where she performed alongside famous choreographer Asiel Hardison and backup dancers. While Carey certainly captivated public attention in the pink ensemble she wore for the show, netizens could not get over how uncomfortable they think she looked while performing.

Video footage shared by a fan on Instagram showed the "Emotions" songstress walking very slowly in high-heeled shoes that complemented her figure-hugging corset overlaid with tulle. As she sauntered around the stage, she sang the O.B.D remix of her classic hit "Fantasy."

When she made her way across the stage to Hardison, Carey held his hand as the choreographer danced his heart out.

After this, Hardison danced his way to the other side of the stage with Mariah Carey following slowly behind him. Upon seeing this video, social media users flocked to the comment section to express their opinions.

"Is she always in a lot of pain? Genuine question," wondered an Instagrammer, while another asked, "She can't move anymore?"

Coming to Carey's defense, a netizen opined, "Just because she's an artist doesn't mean things aren't happening behind scenes [sic]. She may be going through it personally. It's clear something is off." Still, a critic penned, "Worst performer ever...ZERO stage presence."

More online viewers continued to comment on Carey's lack of mobility in her platform shoes, with yet another observer instructing, "She should just stand at the mic and sing. She doesn't need to move around, she looks feeble."

"Why is she so stiff? 🤔" pondered a spectator, while another chimed in with, "Why she always look like she can't breathe [sic]."

Some people focused on Carey's entire ensemble, with one user asserting, "Why do these performers wear stuff like this. [sic] It's horrible. Just put a dress on and go sing." "She's too old for those outfits but anyways… why do all singers have to sing in underwear nowadays?" added an Instagrammer.

The commentary made about the "It's a Wrap" artist's performance outfit is not the first instance Carey has come under fire for her appearance.

In December 2024, she garnered strong reactions from the public after they saw photos of her in a Mrs. Santa Claus-inspired ensemble, which she wore to do some shopping before Christmas in Aspen, Colorado. Many had a lot to say about her appearance, especially where it concerned a particular physical feature of hers.

Effortlessly blending holiday spirit with undeniable glamour, the singer turned heads in a striking, red sweater dress. The knit ensemble clung perfectly to her frame and highlighted her curves while keeping her cozy for the winter chill.

Accentuating her look, Carey added a pair of plush knee-high boots. To complete her ensemble, she paired her outfit with a snowy-white beanie adorned with subtle embellishments.

The addition of white gloves and oversized sunglasses brought a touch of vintage Hollywood glam, which gave her a regal aura even in a casual setting.

With her signature long blonde locks that cascaded over one shoulder and the sparkling necklace she wore, the music icon looked every bit the festive fashionista.

After sharing a post including a series of snapshots of Carey in her outfit, our AmoMama readers wasted no time asserting their thoughts. They took to the comment section expressing a mix of humor, critique, and curiosity. Many zeroed in on a specific aspect of her appearance: her rear end.

One reader pondered, "Why does her rear end look like a shelf," while another remarked, "Does not look natural to me. That rear-end could melt if she walks too much in the sun."

The sentiment continued with others asserting, "Looks like it's padded not look right [sic]," and "🤣that's her 😆 but what does she have stuffed on her backside [sic]? 🙄😂."

Criticism of her outfit choice also surfaced in the comments. "She must have the worst stylist ever! Nothing she ever wears fits her! She needs to face the facts that as you age it is even more important to wear clothing that fits you!" declared one commenter.

Meanwhile, others drew their focus back to the peculiar appearance of her backside, likening it to objects. "Her bottom looks more like a box," observed one reader, while another added, "Her behind looks weird. As if a folded blanket was pushed into her underwear."

The comparisons didn't stop there. Several readers shared similar sentiments, with comments such as, "She wearing a diper [sic]," "Looks like a diaper under her dress," and "Is she wearing a diaper?"

One particularly pointed comment read, "Whats [sic] happened with her backside - it looks like it's padded!!" while another reader penned, "Her natural curves?🤔does that include her implants🤣."

Carey's widely discussed festive shopping outing came just before a major career milestone that solidified her reign as the Queen of Christmas.

Her iconic holiday hit, "All I Want For Christmas Is You," had once again topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart, securing its 17th cumulative week at the number one spot.

This achievement not only extended the song's already impressive record but also marked the longest career command Carey has had on the chart, surpassing her 16-week reign with "One Sweet Day," which she collaborated on with Boyz II Men in 1995-96.

According to Billboard, "All I Want For Christmas Is You" holds the third-longest domination in the Hot 100 chart's 66-year history. The track had reigned supreme for three consecutive weeks during last year's holiday season alone, reaffirming its place as a staple of the Christmas season.

Carey herself couldn't contain her excitement about her achievement, as she took to her Instagram Story to share her gratitude and pride.

Underneath the photo announcement from Billboard, she wrote, "This is amazing!!!! Will never ever ever ever ever take this for granted. Merry early Christmas!!!!" and punctuated her heartfelt message with a series of hearts and Christmas tree emojis.

Beyond her remarkable Billboard achievement, Carey has continued to revel in other career triumphs. Last year, the diva wrapped up her highly successful "Mariah Carey's Christmas Time" tour, which concluded on December 17, 2024, with a grand finale in New York.

Marking the occasion, Carey took to Instagram to celebrate the final show, sharing a carousel post filled with stunning images and videos that captured the festive energy and glamour of the night. Her post's caption read, "LAST SHOW!!! Let's get festive together, New York!!!! ❤️."

The carousel offered fans a behind-the-scenes look at the tour's magic. One standout image showed Carey in a dazzling red ensemble adorned with intricate gold embellishments, her radiant smile reflecting the excitement of the evening.

Another photo featured her in a glittering white gown with dramatic puffed sleeves, embodying a true Christmas angel as she made her way past a poster of her tour.

Other snapshots captured her in breathtaking stage outfits, including a shimmery silver dress as she delivered her iconic vocals, and a festive red mini-dress decorated with snowflake patterns, perfectly paired with her signature voluminous curls.

In a lighter moment, Carey shared an image of her backup singers smiling widely alongside Santa Claus backstage, showcasing the camaraderie and joy behind the scenes.

The post also included a whimsical scene showing Carey perched in a sleigh surrounded by toy soldier dancers, basking in a snowfall of glitter and confetti under the stage lights.

The visuals perfectly encapsulated the magic Carey brought to her fans throughout the tour, cementing her place as the ultimate symbol of holiday cheer.

Aside from her tour, Carey had performed shows during her Las Vegas residency, "The Celebration of Mimi." It kicked off with a couple of shows early last year in April.

These performances marked the launch of the residency, designed as a tribute to her monumental 2005 album, "The Emancipation of Mimi."

The exclusive 16-date run began on April 12, 2024, a date chosen deliberately to coincide with the 19th anniversary of the album's release. Carey's setlist celebrated her career milestones while weaving in a retrospective of her life's story, inspired by her memoir, "The Meaning of Mariah Carey."

Her shows at the Dolby Live at Park MGM were nothing short of iconic. The residency's narrative opened with a voiceover from Carey herself, reflecting on her journey as "little Mariah," accompanied by a shimmering curtain spelling out "Mimi."

As the curtain rose, she launched into her debut single, "Vision of Love," and guided fans through a chronological journey of her greatest hits.

Tracks like "Hero," "Fantasy," and "Always Be My Baby" were accompanied by anecdotes and costume changes that highlighted her legendary career.

The "Mimi" portion of the show included the album's biggest hits, such as "We Belong Together," "Shake It Off," and "Say Somethin'," alongside deeper tracks like "Circles" and "Your Girl."

Carey's playful banter with fans, a tribute to the late James "Big Jim" Wright, and even a candid moment where she acknowledged flubbing a dance routine, showcased her relatability and confidence.

Styled in dazzling ensembles by designers such as Gaurav Gupta and Falguni Shane, Carey's performances were equal parts glamour and nostalgia, delighting audiences with every note.

Carey's residency has continued into this year, with performances having kicked off in late January 2025. Tickets for upcoming shows in February, one of which is scheduled for today (February 12), start from $109.

Aside from her career triumphs, the star's personal life has also been making headlines, as the pop icon was spotted out with acclaimed musician Anderson Paak last year, sparking widespread speculation about a potential romance. The two were seen dining at the upscale Catch Steak restaurant.

However, sources close to the situation have clarified that there's no romance brewing between Carey and Paak. According to reports from TMZ, the duo had been collaborating on new music together and spent time in the studio in Aspen.

Their dinner outing was merely a break from their creative work, as they continued to develop fresh material for their respective music projects.