"Bad lighting and a red lip have you all thinking this is AI??" Carey joked on social media. She added she’s ready to celebrate the season with her fans, affectionately known as her "lambily."
In the video, Carey dons her signature Santa-inspired dress—sans the hat—and expresses gratitude to listeners. "Hey, it's Mariah! Thank you so much for listening to my music on Spotify! Your support through the years is the greatest gift I could ask for," she said. She also highlighted the 30th anniversary of her iconic Merry Christmas album and hinted at new music on the horizon.
The 1994 album, which includes beloved tracks like "All I Want for Christmas Is You" and "Silent Night," has sold 18 million copies worldwide, cementing its place as a holiday classic. Despite initial reservations about recording a Christmas album early in her career, Carey admitted in a 2019 interview that she had underestimated its potential.
Carey’s festive empire now includes winter tours, books, and videos, solidifying her seasonal legacy. While she lost a 2022 trademark dispute over the title "Queen of Christmas" to singer Elizabeth Chan, it hasn’t dampened her holiday reign. Fans continue to celebrate Carey as the voice of the season, proving her yuletide magic remains unrivaled.