5 Times Mariah Carey Was 'Cancelled'—From A Tone-Deaf 2025 Ad To Concert Chaos

The term "Mariah Carey cancelled" has taken on a literal and cultural double meaning in late 2024 and 2025, sparking intense debate across social media and news platforms. While the literal cancellations of several high-profile holiday concerts due to a severe bout of the flu left thousands of fans disappointed, a far more significant controversy erupted over her annual Christmas kickoff, involving a major partnership with the beauty retailer Sephora. This latest wave of scrutiny adds new chapters to the storied career of the "Queen of Christmas," proving that even a legendary diva is not immune to public backlash and the unforgiving nature of the modern news cycle.

This article dives deep into the most recent reasons Mariah Carey has faced cancellation headlines, exploring both the logistical setbacks and the cultural critiques, alongside historical moments that have tested her enduring star power. The current date is December 11, 2025, and the information below reflects the most recent updates on her career and controversies.

Mariah Carey: Full Biography and Profile

Mariah Carey is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and record producer, widely regarded as one of the most successful and influential artists of all time. Her career is defined by her five-octave vocal range, melismatic singing style, and chart-topping success.

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• Full Name: Mariah Carey
• Born: March 27, 1969 (Some sources cite 1970)
• Birthplace: Huntington, New York, U.S.
• Parents: Alfred Roy Carey (Venezuelan/African-American heritage) and Patricia Hickey (Irish descent)
• Key Career Milestones:
  • Debut Album: Mariah Carey (1990)
  • Number of US #1 Singles: 19 (The most for any solo artist)
  • Signature Song: "All I Want for Christmas Is You" (1994)
  • Notable Albums: Music Box, Daydream, Butterfly, The Emancipation of Mimi
  • Awards: Multiple Grammy Awards, World Music Awards, and American Music Awards.
  • Memoir: The Meaning of Mariah Carey (2020)

The Sephora "It's Time!" Ad Backlash: The 2025 'Classist' Cancellation

The most recent and significant controversy that led to "Mariah Carey cancelled" trending was not about her music, but her marketing. In November 2025, the pop icon released her annual "It's Time!" video, officially kicking off the Christmas season. This year, however, the highly anticipated moment was a collaboration with the beauty retailer Sephora and featured comedian Billy Eichner.

The ad, which depicted a lavish, over-the-top Christmas scenario, immediately faced widespread backlash. Critics on social media, known as "Lambs" (her fanbase) and general consumers alike, accused the campaign of being "tone-deaf" and "classist."

Why the Sephora Ad Sparked Outrage

The core of the controversy revolved around the perception that the ad mocked real-world economic and labor issues.

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• Mocking Labor: The ad was criticized for making light of ongoing strikes and the financial struggles faced by many during a tough economic climate. Viewers felt the extravagant display of wealth and consumption, particularly in a year marked by high inflation and economic uncertainty, was insensitive and "distasteful."
• The 'Tone-Deaf' Accusation: Critics argued that the ad promoted reckless consumerism at a time when many families were struggling to afford basic holiday necessities. The collaboration with Sephora, a non-essential luxury retailer, exacerbated the feeling that the ad was out of touch with the reality of the average consumer.
• Calls for Boycott: The backlash was so severe that it led to calls for a boycott of Sephora, with consumers questioning the brand's and Carey's understanding of their customer base and the broader socio-economic landscape.

While Mariah Carey did not directly address the accusations, the incident became one of the most viral marketing controversies of 2025, forcing a conversation about the role of celebrity endorsement and holiday commercialism in a strained economy.

The Literal Cancellations: The 2024/2025 Holiday Flu Crisis

Separate from the cultural "cancellation," Mariah Carey's 2024 and early 2025 holiday concert schedule faced multiple literal cancellations. The singer, who was touring her "Mariah Carey's Christmas Time" show, was forced to postpone or cancel several dates due to illness.

• Pittsburgh Cancellation: In December 2024, Carey abruptly canceled her concert at the PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh just hours before the show was set to begin, citing a severe case of the flu.
• Newark and UBS Arena: The illness forced the cancellation of two more shows scheduled for the Prudential Center in Newark and the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York.

In a message to her fans, the "Queen of Christmas" expressed her heartbreak, stating, "It breaks my heart that I unfortunately have to cancel tonight's show," and apologized to her dedicated fans, often referred to as her "Lambily." These logistical setbacks, though understandable due to health reasons, caused significant disappointment and ticket refund chaos, contributing to the "cancelled" headlines in a direct and unfortunate way.

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Historical Setbacks: Cautionary Tales of the Diva's Career

Mariah Carey's career has been a series of spectacular highs and public setbacks, cementing her status as a resilient pop diva. Two major historical moments are often cited when discussing career "cancellations" or low points, providing context for her ability to navigate controversy.

The Glitter Film and Album Flop (2001)

Following a tumultuous personal and professional period, including a highly publicized breakdown, Mariah Carey released the film and soundtrack album Glitter in 2001. The film was a critical and commercial disaster, often cited as one of the most notorious cinematic flops of all time. The poor performance and the surrounding media frenzy led many industry watchers to declare her career over. However, Carey staged one of the most successful comebacks in music history with the 2005 album The Emancipation of Mimi, proving her staying power and earning her the title of a comeback queen.

The "All I Want for Christmas Is You" Copyright Lawsuits

Even her most beloved and profitable song, "All I Want for Christmas Is You," has recently been a source of legal controversy. In a bizarre twist of events, Carey has faced multiple copyright infringement lawsuits over the holiday classic. Most notably, a lawsuit filed in late 2023 alleged that she and her co-writer Walter Afanasieff had stolen the lyrics and melody from a country song of the same name. While a judge ultimately awarded Carey a summary judgment, dismissing the most recent case in 2024, the continuous legal battles surrounding her "Christmas Queen" status keep her in the news and fuel ongoing discussions about the origins and immense commercial success of the track.

The Verdict: Is Mariah Carey Truly 'Cancelled'?

The answer is a definitive "No." The current "Mariah Carey cancelled" narrative is a mixture of unfortunate logistical setbacks (the flu-related tour cancellations) and a significant, yet common, cultural critique (the Sephora ad backlash). While the backlash over the "tone-deaf" Christmas ad was fierce and led to calls for boycotts, it did not diminish her overall cultural relevance or her annual domination of the holiday music charts.

Mariah Carey’s career has been defined by overcoming public scrutiny, from the Glitter debacle to various public mishaps. Her ability to bounce back, as demonstrated by the success of her memoir and her continued reign as the undisputed "Queen of Christmas," suggests that these recent headlines are merely temporary speed bumps in the road of a legendary career. Her fans remain loyal, and her holiday catalog continues to generate record-breaking streams, ensuring that the only thing truly "cancelled" were a few concerts—not the icon herself.