Following accusations of sabotage, the production company behind Mariah Carey’s disastrous New Year’s Eve performance has hit back, denying any allegations of interference.
On Monday, Dick Clark Productions, who deliver the annual New Year’s Rockin’ Eve event in New York City which Carey was the main attraction at, said any claims of interference in order to get “Mariah drama” were “outrageous and frankly absurd”.
46-year-old Carey performed was scheduled to deliver two of her hit songs at the 2016 Times Square countdown event on Sunday, but after ongoing issues with her microphones, earpieces, and teleprompter, was unable to sing.
The star remained on stage with her dancers throughout the song and encouraged fans to sing along before saying, "it just doesn't get any better" and walking off.
Following the disastrous performance, TMZ report Carey's camp had flagged the earpiece issues numerous times with the Dick Clark Productions team hours ahead of the performance but were reassured all would be fine.
Video footage has also emerged of Carey completing a sound check at approximately 3 pm on New Year's Eve reporting the "choppy" feedback in her earpiece to producers.
But according to Dick Clark Productions, the accusations are absolutely false.
In a statement released on Monday, they said, "As the premier producer of live television events for nearly 50 years, we pride ourselves on our reputation and long-standing relationships with artists.
"To suggest that dcp, as producer of music shows including the American Music Awards, Billboard Music Awards, New Year’s Rockin’ Eve and Academy of Country Music Awards, would ever intentionally compromise the success of any artist is defamatory, outrageous and frankly absurd.
"In very rare instances there are of course technical errors that can occur with live television, however, an initial investigation has indicated that dcp had no involvement in the challenges associated with Ms. Carey’s New Year’s Eve performance. We want to be clear that we have the utmost respect for Ms Carey as an artist and acknowledge her tremendous accomplishments in the industry."
Mariah Carey during her New Year's Eve countdown performance. Source: Getty.Rumours are also now emerging that the Jukebox singer was not paid for her appearance, but rather agreed to perform as a favour to producers.
Following the performance and a barrage of online mockery, Carey tweeted, "Shit happens. Have a happy and healthy new year everybody! Here’s to making more headlines in 2017.”
Top Comments
I am one size bigger than Mariah and even if I was a superstar with mega grooming and was down to her size, I wouldn't be caught anywhere in a nude leotard trying to look sexy! She needs to dress for her size and shape. She can still look sexy but given her figure at the moment, cover it up a bit - don't try and look nude it only emphasises that you have an unhealthy diet and lifestyle. She looks past it trying to keep the look alive from 20 years ago when she was 27-28 singing Honey.
She does not look unhealthy. She's not thin. That's not necessary unhealthy. She has curves. She's volumptuos and she looks sexy.
Nothing unhealthy looking about her
are you serious? She is a beautiful woman with a gorgeous figure!
Covering or not covering...you are still the same size!
Even when i put on a lot of weight, i still wear bathers to the pool, i am just as fat in bathers as i am covered up.
All I can say is that singing live (with or without live musicians ) can be really dodgy if you don't have very clear & un-distorted foldback. These days many singers have in-ear monitoring that's supposed to give them pristine sound in their ears while they perform.
Mariah Carey's level of vocal skill & accuracy would heavily depend on that pristine sound to help her to "do her thing".
Was the sound quality not to her usual standard ?
Did her stand-in in the rehearsal not understand that ?
I'm not a "Mariah fan" especially but I understand the problem if there actually was one.