June 16, 2025
Mariah Carey had diva demands backstage at Capital's Summertime Ball at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, per sources.
For her first show in the U.K. in six years, Carey was joined by Will Smith and Rita Ora.
Capital Radio's Sian Welby shared some insight on the changes the All I Want For Christmas Is You hitmaker needed before the show.
Speaking on the red carpet, Sian told The Sun: “We will do what we're told. When it comes to Mariah, she is the boss.”
“She's changed the whole dressing room to just be called Mimi's World. Doesn't even have Capital branding anymore. It's all her zone,” she explained.
In stark contrast to the 56-year-old, Smith is a low-maintenance performer.
Sian’s co-host Chris Stark said, “Will Smith by the way is the most chilled, like he's just wandering around. He was in catering, he just went and sat himself down and got himself some food.”
Last year, insiders shared the self-proclaimed diva’s extravagant antics during her Christmas Time tour.
“Mariah is just being so extra this year,” an insider told Daily Mail. “She is getting paid an insane amount of money. Rehearsals started at the end of September as she wants it to be the grandest tour yet.”
“One of her requests was that her main backup dancers are all ‘hot' men. She did not want any unattractive dancers,” they added.
The singer also doesn’t compromise on her looks, even during rehearsals.
“She also requested hair and makeup for the rehearsals,” said the tipster. “Everyone who is directly involved in the production has been asked not to speak to Mariah or take photos with her.”
Diva antics aside, Mariah Carey serenaded her fans during her set Capital's Summertime Ball with hits like Always Be My Baby, Type Dangerous, Touch My Body, and It's Like That.