Mariah Carey raised a few eyebrows with her diva demands while closing the Capital FM Summertime Ball at London’s Wembley Stadium, marking her first UK performance in six years. The 56-year-old superstar had her dressing room fully customised and renamed “Mimi’s World,” according to Capital FM presenter Sian Welby. Welby described Carey as “the boss,” noting that the room no longer featured any Capital branding but was entirely dedicated to the singer. In contrast, fellow performer Will Smith was praised for his relaxed demeanour, wandering casually and helping himself to catering.
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Despite the star-studded line-up that included former Little Mix singer Jade, Benson Boone, Tate McRae, and a surprise performance from JLS, footage shared on TikTok showed Mariah seemingly performing to a partially empty stadium. Fans were quick to defend the singer, attributing the sparse crowd to the timing of the show on a Sunday night when public transport stops early, forcing many attendees to leave early. Several commentators noted that artists performing late on Sundays often face smaller audiences as people must catch their last trains home.
Carey’s “diva antics” had already made headlines earlier this year during the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards, where she was caught on camera displaying a series of unimpressed facial expressions during a tribute to her hits by artists Muni Long and Tori Kelly. While Long performed “We Belong Together,” Carey was seen slowly turning her head away and giving a subtle side-eye, a stark contrast to the enthusiasm of her rumoured boyfriend Anderson .Paak, who sat beside her.
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Another clip from the awards showed Carey smiling initially, only for the expression to fade as the tribute continued. These moments reignited discussions about her reputed high-maintenance behaviour, yet she remains an iconic figure with a devoted fanbase, who continue to celebrate her remarkable career.
