Singing sensation Mariah Carey to perform in Israel for first time

The concert is scheduled to take place on August 18 at the Rishon Lezion Ampitheater.

By NOA AMOUYAL
Updated: JULY 22, 2015 21:16
Mariah Carey in taped message to Israel
A month after vacationing in Israel with her billionaire boyfriend, pop diva Mariah Carey is coming back to do what she does best. Her musical debut in the country is set to take place August 18 at Live Park in Rishon Lezion.
In a Tel Aviv press conference Tuesday, promoters Bell Entertainment and Exhibitions announced that Carey, whose five-octave- spanning voice has entertained audiences for 25 years, will take a short break from her #1 to Infinity show at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas for a special one-night performance in the Holy Land.
“Shalom Israel, I will be coming to see you on August 18, so come see me,” said an enthusiastic Carey in a short video clip broadcast at Tuesday’s press conference.
Her recent visit with her beau, Australian media and casino magnate James Packer, likely led to her decision to grace Israelis with her musical presence. During her visit, Carey said she was very “moved” by her experience in Israel, which included a visit to the Western Wall and dinner with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“We are of course thrilled to host her and it’s a huge success for Israel,” A Bell Entertainment Representative said, adding that her company had not run into any boycott- related obstacles while negotiating the deal that would bring the singer here. That doesn’t mean that intense pressure won’t be put on Carey in the next month by pro-Palestinian activists.
The 45-year-old, twice married pop sensation with a penchant for high heels, butterflies and anything that glitters has sold over 200 million albums worldwide and has 18 No. 1 singles under her bedazzling designer belt.
Songs like “Fantasy,” “One Sweet Day,” “Emotions” and “All I Want For Christmas is You” (a holiday standard that has become synonymous with the holiday itself) have made Carey a pillar of modern pop.
Some of her musical resume has Jewish links and undertones as well. “When You Believe,” a duet with Whitney Houston from the Prince of Egypt soundtrack, and her cameo performing “Hatikva” in the Adam Sandler comedy You Don’t Mess with The Zohan indicate longstanding affection for Jewish people and culture.
Carey has also dabbled with acting, albeit with mixed results. Her 2001 film Glitter was a box-office and critical bomb, but her low-profile turn as a social worker in 2009’s Precious was received more positively.
Carey has also lent her expertise to the next generation of artists, with multiple appearances on the Britain’s X-Factor talent show.
Ticket prices will range from NIS 249 on the grass up to NIS 699 for VIP passes. Tickets are currently on sale and can be purchased on www.2207.co.il.