Music: Mariah Carey in Sydney

Without question, Mariah Careys popularity spikes annually for mistletoe season. Shes affectionately been crowned the Queen of Christmas and it seems all Australia wanted for Christmas this year was the chance to see the perpetual princess sing live. When tickets went on sale for her Sydney show, they sold out faster than it takes to listen to her hit Fantasy once through.

Unfortunately, Mariah didnt include that smash in her Sydney set-list on the evening of January 3 at All Phones Arena, but symbols of her royal Mariah-ness, like butterflies and glitter, flashed on screen as she took to the stage and the real life fantasy of seeing her live began.

Mariah Carey

January 3rd, 2013

She was escorted on stage by a train of gentlemanly lads with cascading curls and a dress that squeezed her in. She was our Jessica Rabbit for the night, but of course, without the muted demeanour as she executed her opening number, Cant Take That Away, with a voice that garnered respect from every one of the occupied seats in the house.

Cutting a curvaceous silhouette, her busty body was covered in bling that spoke a luxurious language. During the emancipated Shake It Off, she delicately gestured to the crowd, like a true royal, keeping her physicality on the down low. Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star hands was the extent of her choreography, but why bother exerting your body to entertain a crowd when your voice performs more somersaults than Cirque Du Soleil?

Her signature sing-squeal was first showcased as pink love hearts beat on screen to the disco rhythm of her 1991 jam, Emotions.

No indication was given that she couldnt achieve the quality of her vocal reputation. She even showed off between songs. Instead of taking a breather to talk to the audien! ce, like the casual pop star would, Mariah often spoke to the audience in song. At one point she asked the audience for something Aussie to say, then subsequently transformed the boisterous sporting chant, Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, into an elegantly resplendent yodel.

Instead of taking a breather to talk, Mariah often spoke to the audience in song.

It was these moments between songs that her trademark diva antics bossed up. Right as she was getting comfortable on a sofa bed to sing My All, she demanded that her chaise be moved closer to the fan. Once done so, she scolded her attendants for moving it too close to the edge, as it inhibited how she wished to sit. It was said with a chuckle, although you wondered if she was further berating her staff behind the scenes whilst her absence off stage stretched a little too long to appreciate the art of the quick change, especially considering her outfits for the evening were a rack of uncomplicated dresses in different sparkly shades.

After having not toured Australia for 15 years, the audience deserved more Mimi on stage time. After performing a cover of the Jackson 5s Ill Be There, with guest performer Trey Lorenz (The pair originally crooned this tune in 92 on MTV), Mariah abandoned her own gig for 15 minutes, leaving Trey to perform a rendition of Michael Jacksons Rock With You and half sing Princes Lets Go Crazy whilst introducing Mariahs band and dancers.

Even the most pedigree of divas, like Mariah, shouldnt be spared the duty of introducing the musicians that accompany her on the road. It didnt say much about her gratitude for the people she works with and neither did the one liner she made after the spoonful of Vegemite gag, If somebody doesnt bring me a glass of champagne in 1.5 seconds, everyone gets fired. Turns out she needed something classy to wash away the taste of middle-class Australia.

It was all in all a send up of her own larger than life ego, one that ! was almos! t humbled when she admitted one fan on stage to give her a beauty school certificate, educating the audience with a little bit of Mariah 101. As it turns out, Mariahs back up plan, if she ever miraculously failed at becoming a superstar, was to work in beauty. Obviously having not needed the credentials, she became a beauty school drop out. Mariah accepted the makeshift certificate and her postponed, yet phony graduation, with grace.

More throwbacks to the past came during the sensitive balled Close My Eyes in which photographs slowly came in and out of focus on screen of Mariah as a free spirited child with freckles and hair thats obviously always been magical.

The inspiring ballad, Hero, triumphantly drew the show to a close. With its eternal flame of memorable high notes and self-empowering spirit, it majestically warmed up the atmosphere before Mariah returned for an encore performance of the colossal hit, We Belong Together.

Mariahs show brought back some of yesteryears charm. Her performance was pure and free of the added preservatives that usually sustain a modern day pop concert, such as backing vocals and the smoke and mirrors effect. Her on-screen displays, which served as the only visual aid to the evenings performance, even seemed a little on the wrong side of the millennium in terms of pixel count.

But the point of visual stimulation became pointless, when Mariahs voice opened up the heavens; it was worth your expensive ticket price and much, much more.