The Celebration of Mimi

The Celebration of Mimi
Location	Las Vegas, Nevada
Venue	Dolby Live at Park MGM
Associated album	The Emancipation of Mimi
Start date	April 12, 2024
End date	February 15, 2025
Legs	3
Shows	24

The Celebration of Mimi is a concert residency by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey, held at Dolby Live at Park MGM fom April 12, 2024 to February 15, 2025, with additional shows taking place at Beijing's Workers' Stadium on September 15 and 16, 2024 and at Shanghai's Hongkou Stadium on May 16 and 17, 2025.

Background

On February 6, 2024, Carey announced on social media that she would be returning to Las Vegas in April of that year with a new 8-date residency, running from April 12, 2024 to April 27, 2024 at Dolby Live at Park MGM. The Live Nation pre-sale began on Wednesday, February 7, 2024 and the Citibank cardmember presale began on Thursday, February 8, 2024, both at 10 a.m., while general sales for the event began on Saturday, February 10, 2024 at the same time.

Following Carey's announcement, Billboard reported that the "exclusive engagement" would be themed around the 19th anniversary of The Emancipation of Mimi (2005), Carey's 10th studio album, and that it would "feature fan favorites from that album as well as other hits from her unparalleled illustrious career." Later that day, The Hollywood Reporter reported that Live Nation Las Vegas are donating $1 of every ticket purchased to the Fresh Air Fund's Camp Mariah.

On March 2, 2024, photographer Markus Klinko, who shot the album cover for The Emancipation of Mimi in 2005, revealed to Hello! that he was preparing to photograph Carey again ahead of the residency, "as she's using all the Mimi pictures" for inspiration.

Carey posted a video of her rehearsing "It's Like That" on social media, accompanied by Daniel Moore II on the piano on March 22, 2024.

On April 9, 2024, Carey posted a video of her rehearsing "Circles."

On April 11, 2024, exclusive items from the residency's merchandise catalog were revealed by Carey and made available for purchase on her official Amazon Store. Later that day, due to extraordinary demand, the singer announced a second leg of the residency, running from July 26, 2024 to August 10, 2024. The Ticketmaster official platinum presale and the Citibank cardmember presale for the new dates began on Friday, April 12, 2024, both at 10 a.m., while the Ticketmaster, Live Nation, media and SiriusXM presales began on Monday, April 15, 2024 at the same time. Tickets went on sale for the general public on April 19, 2024, also at 10 a.m..

A third leg of the residency was announced by Park MGM on July 22, 2024, running from January 31, 2025 to February 15, 2025. The Ticketmaster official platinum presale and the Citibank cardmember presale for the 2025 shows began on Tuesday, July 23, 2024 at 10 a.m., while the Ticketmaster, Live Nation, media and SiriusXM presales will begin on Wednesday, July 24, 2024 at the same time. Tickets went on sale for the general public on July 26, 2024, also at 10 a.m..

Promotion

To promote the second and third legs of the residency, Carey taped several interviews with news outlets on July 29, 2024, where she discussed the show, including Entertainment Tonight and E! News, both aired on August 5, 2024.

Production

Fashion

Speaking to Harper's Bazaar, Wilfredo Rosado, Carey's stylist for the residency, stated that the show's wardrobe was meant to celebrate Carey's entire career, while highlighting the ways in which she (and her style) have transformed as well."

The opening number, a rhinestone-covered LBD from Laura Basci, paired with a dark blonde curly wig, hints at Carey's look from the "Vision of Love" music video and single cover, albeit representing the evolution of both her style and career.

The second look, a long pink gown by Robert Wun, is heavily reminiscent of Carey's pink dress from her performance at the 2006 Grammy Awards. For the third act, the floor-length skirt is removed and the now-mini dress is paired with a crystal AMIRI bomber jacket customized by Prime Kreations with 'Mimi' encrusted in the back. Later, the jacket is replaced by a S Y L V I O pink sylk robe for the Butterfly medley, which is then taken off for the final song of the act.

The next look is a gold Sophie Couture dress, meant to resemble an updated version of the dress worn by Carey on The Emancipation of Mimi album cover. Initially paired with a custom butterfly-themed Jackie Cicogna Millinery mask, the bottom half of the dress is later detached to reveal a gold and cream mini-skit worn until the end of the act.

The final look is a crystal dress by Valdrin Sahiti.

Sketch by Robert Wun.

Sketch by Sophie Couture.

Sketch by Valdrin Sahiti.

Concert synopsis

The show starts with an instrumental medley of "Alone in Love," "I Don't Wanna Cry," "Vanishing" and an orchestral version of "Love Takes Time," during which Carey recites the first paragraph from The Meaning of Mariah Carey, referencing certain moments from the first half of her career:

“

My intention was to keep her safe, but perhaps I have only succeeded in keeping her prisoner. For many years, she's been locked away inside of me—always alone, hidden in plain sight before masses of people. There's significant evidence of her in my early work: often she can be found looking out of windows, dwarfed by a giant frame, barefoot, staring at an empty rope swing swaying from a lone tree against a purple dusk sky. Or else she's two stories up in a brownstone, watching the neighborhood children dancing on the sidewalk below. She's shown up in a school auditorium in OshKosh overalls, holding a ball on the sidelines, waiting and wanting to be chosen. Sometimes she is caught in a rare moment of joy, on a roller coaster or flying by on skates with her hands in the air. Always she lingers, though, as a dull longing just behind my eyes. She's been scared and alone for so long, and yet through all the darkness, she's never lost her light. She has made herself known through my songs—her yearning heard over the airwaves or seen on screens. Millions of people know her, but have never known her. She is little Mariah, and much of this will be her vision, as she saw it.

”

TBA

“

He had my life, but I had my music. I had fans! And soon they would become another source of my strength.

”

TBA

“

Once upon a time, I lived in a very big house named Storybook Manor. And in it were big diamonds and big closets full of the most spectacular gowns and bejeweled slippers. But also within its walls was an inescapable emptiness that almost swallowed me whole.

”

TBA

“

When I finally walked away from the house, only then did I notice there was a butterfly carved in the center of the fireplace. Its open wings were the sign I so desperately needed when I let that door close behind me.

”

TBA

“

It was the power of God's presence in anointed voices. You could feel all the spirits being lifted. I could feel my father's spirit being set free.

”

TBA

“

If I have learned anything in this life worth sharing, it is, protect your dreams. Even in the face of disadvantages and dysfunction, you can't let anybody define, control, or take away your vision of your life—not your mother, brother, sister, father, spouse, boyfriend, girlfriend, fake friend, boss, bully, bigot, manager, partner, assistant, critic, cousin, uncle, auntie, classmate, mogul, predator, influencer, president, false preacher, fake teacher, coworker, frenemy with a phone, coward with a camera, or chicken with a keyboard. In the end, and in the beginning, it's all about faith for me. I can't define it, but it has defined me.

”

TBA

Recordings

Professional footage from "Dreamlover," "Hero," "I'll Be There," "Babydoll," "Butterfly," "I Wish You Knew," "Shake It Off" and "Circles" filmed during the second show was used in a promotional trailer for the residency. A second trailer featuring professional footage from "Vision of Love," "Always Be My Baby," "We Belong Together," "Make It Happen" and "It's Like That," also taken from the second show, was used to promote the 2025 dates.

The "All I Want for Christmas Is You" snippet from August 2, 2024 was shared on Carey's social media to promote Mariah Carey's Christmas Time.

Set list

1. "Book Intro" (With elements from "Alone in Love," "I Don't Wanna Cry," "Vanishing" and "Love Takes Time")
2. "Vision of Love"
3. "Emotions"
4. "Make It Happen"
5. "Can't Let Go / I'll Be There" (With Trey Lorenz)
6. "Dreamlover" (Followed by "Dreamlover Reprise")
7. "Dreamlover" (Def Club Mix, interlude)
8. "Hero" (With elements from "Music Box")
9. "Without You" (Followed by "Without You Reprise")
10. "Fantasy" (Bad Boy Fantasy)
11. "Always Be My Baby"
12. "Looking In" (Preceded by a piano solo performed by Daniel Moore II)
13. Butterfly Medley:
    1. "Butterfly"
    2. "Babydoll"
    3. "Breakdown"
    4. "Close My Eyes"
    5. "The Roof (Back in Time)"
    6. "My All"
14. "Honey / Heartbreaker" (Mashup)
15. "Loverboy" / "Don't Stop (Funkin' 4 Jamaica)" / "Didn't Mean to Turn You On" / "Last Night a DJ Saved My Life" / "Boy (I Need You)" / "Sunflowers for Alfred Roy" (Dancers interlude)
16. "I Wish You Knew"
17. "It's Like That" (Original Version / Tour Remix, with elements from "Here We Go" and "Sucker MC's" by Run-DMC)
18. "Say Somethin'"
19. "Your Girl"
20. "Shake It Off" (With elements from "Don't" by Bryson Tiller)
21. "So Lonely" / "Secret Love" (With elements from "Sprung") / "Makin' It Last All Night (What It Do)" (Dancers interlude)
22. "Circles"
23. "Don't Forget About Us"
24. "We Belong Together" (With elements from "Mimi's Late Night Valentine's Mix")
25. "Fly Like a Bird"
26. "Fly Like a Bird Reprise" (Outro)

Notes

• Heidi Klum and Tyra Banks joined Carey onstage during the performance of "Say Somethin'" on the fifth night.
• Starting on the ninth night, the "Fly Like a Bird Reprise" outro was replaced by the "Hopeful Child Remix" of "Portrait." The "Fly Like a Bird Reprise" was brought back on the seventeenth night.
• From the twelfth to the sixteenth nights, "Circles" was replaced by a snippet of "All I Want for Christmas Is You" played by the band while Carey walked back onstage instead. It was later cut from the set list on the seventeenth night.
• The "Make It Last Remix" of "Thank God I Found You" was performed during the third leg, between "My All" and the "Honey / Heartbreaker" mashup.

Gallery

"Paint pretty pictures of what I'd do if you were mine" To view the The Celebration of Mimi gallery, click here.

Shows

Date	Attendance	Revenue
Leg 1
April 12, 2024	42,096 / 42,096 (100%)	$8,294,469
April 13, 2024
April 17, 2024
April 19, 2024
April 20, 2024
April 24, 2024
April 26, 2024
April 27, 2024
Leg 2
July 26, 2024	36,050 / 42,096 (92%)	$6,219,219
July 27, 2024
July 31, 2024
August 2, 2024
August 3, 2024
August 7, 2024
August 9, 2024
August 10, 2024
Leg 3
January 31, 2025	-	-
February 1, 2025
February 5, 2025
February 7, 2025
February 8, 2025
February 12, 2025
February 14, 2025
February 15, 2025
Total	78,146 / 84,192 (93%)	$14,513,688

Trivia

• The show marks Carey's fifth concert residency, following Mariah Carey Live in Las Vegas (2009), All I Want for Christmas Is You: a Night of Joy and Festivity (2014-2017), Mariah: #1 to Infinity (2015-2017) and The Butterfly Returns (2018-2020).
• The residency marked the first performance of many songs in several years:
  • "Looking In" since the MLB All-Star charity concert in 2013.
  • "Butterfly" since the Butterfly World Tour in 1998 (not counting the "Butterfly Reprise" performed in several shows since).
  • "Babydoll" since The Sweet Sweet Fantasy Tour in 2016.
  • "The Roof (Back in Time)" since The Elusive Chanteuse Show in 2014.
  • "Boy (I Need You)" since Carey's Hit Machine appearance in 2003.
  • "I Wish You Knew" and "Your Girl" since The Adventures of Mimi in 2006.
    • Additionally, it was also the first time "Don't Stop (Funkin' 4 Jamaica)," "Sunflowers for Alfred Roy," "So Lonely," "Secret Love," "Makin' It Last All Night (What It Do) and "Circles" were performed live.
• Carey raised the key of both "Vision of Love" and "Butterfly" for the residency: while the former raised by one semitone and is now performed in the same key as 1993-1999, the later was raised back to the original key.

The Celebration of Mimi
General information
Associated album	The Emancipation of Mimi
Start date	September 15, 2024
End date	November 2, 2025
Legs	3
Shows	9
Opening acts	Curley G
Tours chronology
Mariah Carey's Christmas Time
The Celebration of Mimi

Tour

Following the success of The Celebration of Mimi in Las Vegas, additional shows were arranged in China and Brazil during fall 2024. On March 23, 2025, an official tour was announced with two additional dates in China, as well as new dates in Thailand, the Philippines and Japan.

Background

Two shows at the Workers' Stadium in Beijing were officially announced on August 6, 2024 by Carey via a special pre-recorded message shared on social media. Tickets went on sale on September 1, 2024.

Carey posted a video on Instagram of her and Daniel Moore II rehearsing "It's Like That" on September 8, 2024. That same day, Carey took to X to post a video of both of them rehearsing "I Wish You Knew," albeit in a lower key.

On September 12, Curley G was announced as the official opening act of the Beijing shows.

The following day, videos of the band rehearsing "I'm That Chick," "We Belong Together" and "Obsessed" at Workers' Stadium were posted by fans on social media. That same day, Carey posted a video of her rehearsing "Shake It Off" on social media.

Set list

1. "Book Intro" (With elements from "Alone in Love," "I Don't Wanna Cry," "Vanishing" and "Love Takes Time")
2. "Love Takes Time"
3. "Emotions"
4. "Can't Let Go / I'll Be There" (With Trey Lorenz)
5. "Dreamlover" (Followed by "Dreamlover Reprise")
6. "Dreamlover" (Def Club Mix, video interlude)
7. "Hero" (With elements from "Music Box")
8. "Without You" (Followed by "Without You Reprise")
9. "Always Be My Baby"
10. "Looking In" (Preceded by a piano solo performed by Daniel Mooore II)
11. Butterfly Medley:
    1. "Butterfly"
    2. "Babydoll"
    3. "Breakdown"
    4. "The Roof (Back in Time)"
    5. "My All"
12. "Honey / Heartbreaker" (Mashup)
13. "Loverboy" / "Don't Stop (Funkin' 4 Jamaica)" / "Didn't Mean to Turn You On" / "Last Night a DJ Saved My Life" / "Boy (I Need You)" (Band introductions)
14. "I Wish You Knew"
15. "It's Like That" (Original Version / Tour Remix, with elements from "Here We Go" and "Sucker MC's" by Run-DMC)
16. "Say Somethin'"
17. "Your Girl"
18. "Shake It Off" (With elements from "Don't" by Bryson Tiller)
19. "Get Your Number" / "To the Floor" (Dancers interlude)
20. "#Beautiful" (With Daniel Moore II)
21. "I Know What You Want"
22. "Obsessed"
23. "I'm That Chick" (Followed by "I'm That Chick Reprise)"
24. "Circles"
25. "Don't Forget About Us"
26. "We Belong Together" (With elements from "Mimi's Late Night Valentine's Mix")
27. "We Belong Together" (Remix, outro)

Shows

Date	City	Country	Venue	Opening Act	Attendance	Revenue
Leg 1
September 15, 2024	Beijing	China	Workers' Stadium	Curley G	-	-
September 16, 2024
Leg 2
May 16, 2025	Shanghai	China	Hongkou Stadium	-	-	-
May 17, 2025
Leg 3
October 11, 2025	Bangkok	Thailand	Impact Challenger Hall	-	-	-
October 14, 2025	Manila	Philippines	SM Mall of Asia Arena
October 28, 2025	Kobe	Japan	TBA
November 1, 2025	Yokohama
November 2, 2025
Total					-	-

Trivia

• The tour marked the first performance of "Get Your Number" since Carey's appearance on Star Academy in 2005.
  • Additionally, it was also the first time "To the Floor" was performed live.
• During the shows in Beijing, the line "but perhaps I have only succeeded in keeping her prisoner" was cut from the spoken intro. Carey also performed the "Superclean" version of "Obsessed" (also known as the video version), with the words "weed" and "E" censored out, and changed the line "Lyin' that you're sexin' me" to "Lyin' that you're texin' me," possibly to conform to the country's standards of modesty.