Christmas is officially here for fans of Mariah Carey, who marked 1 November with her now-traditional holiday announcement video, once again declaring: "It's Time!"
This year's production took a different approach from previous editions, with the singer initially appearing in a look inspired by her little-known rock music past.
The video opens in a New York bar on the night of 31 October, just minutes before midnight. Wearing a red wig, heavy makeup and punk-inspired clothing, Carey performs the song "Hermit".
As the clock approaches midnight, she leaps from the stage into the crowd before the screen fades to black. The moment the calendar turns to 1 November, the familiar phrase rings out:
"It's Time!"
Carey then transforms into her signature festive persona, dressed in red atop a giant Christmas tree, as "All I Want for Christmas Is You" begins to play.
A nod to her hidden rock project
The choice of "Hermit" surprised many fans because of its connection to a lesser-known chapter of Carey's career.
The song comes from "Someone's Ugly Daughter", a 1995 alternative rock album released by the band Chick.
While working on her bestselling album "Daydream", Carey secretly contributed to the rock project alongside friend Clarissa Dane, helping with songwriting, production and vocals.
Her involvement remained largely unknown for years before she discussed it publicly in her 2020 memoir, "The Meaning of Mariah Carey".
An internet tradition
Carey's annual 1 November video has become a social media phenomenon.
Each year, immediately after Halloween, the singer unveils a festive clip signalling the return of her holiday classic "All I Want for Christmas Is You", prompting the long-running online joke that Carey is "defrosted" every November in time for Christmas.
Released in 1994 on the album "Merry Christmas", the song has become one of the most recognisable festive tracks in the world.
Its success continues to be reflected in the charts, with the song spending a cumulative 22 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 after repeatedly returning to the top spot during the holiday season.
UK tour dates
The festive period will also see Carey return to the stage in the United Kingdom, with performances scheduled in:
- Birmingham on 27 November
- London on 30 November
- Manchester on 2 December
Sources: Entertainment Weekly, NBC News/TODAY, Parade
