Mariah Carey keeps her promise with a dazzling Brighton Pride show for 50,000 adoring fans
Mariah Carey lit up Brighton Pride with a glittering performance that blended powerhouse vocals, heartfelt tributes, and a dazzling parade of outfits in front of an estimated 50,000 fans.
The 56-year-old music icon headlined Pride in the Park at Preston Park on Saturday night, 2 August, fulfilling a promise she had made back in 2020. Carey had been booked to perform that year, but the Covid-19 pandemic forced the event’s cancellation, leaving fans “gutted”. Five years later, she made good on her word — and then some.
Taking to the stage in a series of dramatic costume changes, Carey kicked off her set in a sparkly ombré mini dress featuring shades of blue, pink, and silver — colours nodding to the transgender pride flag. She paired the look with a bold pink bomber jacket bearing the slogan “Protect the Dolls” across the back.
She didn’t stop there. In a nod to her Butterfly era, Carey swapped into a glittering bodysuit with high-cut shorts that showed off her toned legs, before slipping into a mid-length gold gown — an apparent tribute to her 2005 album The Emancipation of Mimi. Later, she appeared in a chic black dress accented with a shimmering silver bra trim.
Carey’s performance was as much about emotional connection as spectacle. At one point, she dedicated her iconic ballad Hero to the LGBTQ+ community, telling the crowd they had stood by her “through good and bad” and promising she would always be there for them.
The moment resonated deeply. As Carey belted out the soaring chorus, the entire park sang along in unison. Social media quickly filled with fan-shot videos, including one showing an emotional audience member in tears as they sang every word.
“Thank you so much @brightonprideofficial for having me tonight!” Carey wrote later on Instagram. “A special heartfelt thank you to the LGBTQ+ community for your ongoing support. I will always be there for you. Love, MC.”
Support acts added to the celebratory energy of the night. Swedish Eurovision star Loreen delivered her own powerhouse set, performing her two contest-winning songs, Euphoria (2012) and Tattoo (2023), telling the crowd she “loved them” before leaving the stage. Dance act Confidence Man also brought high-energy vibes to the packed park.
BBC reporter Anthony Martin noted that some fans had turned up in festive attire, hoping Carey might sneak in her holiday classic All I Want for Christmas Is You. While the song didn’t make the setlist, the disappointment was short-lived as Carey’s mix of classics and crowd-pleasers kept the audience in high spirits all night.
Carey also re-shared Instagram Stories from fans who captured highlights of her set, including a twirl in her bodysuit that sent the crowd roaring.
The headline appearance comes as Carey gears up for the release of her new album Here For It All, due out on 26 September. If Brighton Pride was any indication, the singer remains at the height of her stagecraft, delivering both vocal power and show-stopping visuals.
Brighton Pride will continue through the weekend, with Sunday’s line-up set to feature Fatboy Slim, Sugababes, and Will Young. But for many, Carey’s performance was the standout — a long-awaited promise kept, wrapped in sequins, soaring vocals, and pure pop joy.