Mariah Carey announced as Brighton Pride Festival headliner

Organisers have announced that pop icon Mariah Carey will headline the Brighton Pride festival this summer. The ‘Fantasy’ singer will take the stage at the Pride on the Park event, following previous headliners Girls Aloud and Mika in 2024, and the Black Eyed Peas in 2023.

Carey, known for her 19 number one hits such as ‘Obsessed,’ ‘Fantasy,’ and ‘Always Be My Baby,’ was originally set to headline in 2020, but the event was canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

In a statement shared on Brighton and Hove Pride’s social media, Carey expressed her excitement: “I can't wait to see all of your beautiful faces at Pride on the Park 2025. It's going to be a scorcher.”

This will be Carey’s first performance in the UK since her concert series at London’s Royal Albert Hall in 2019, as ‘Independent’ writes.

Paul Kemp, Brighton Pride’s managing director, described Carey as a “global icon” and expressed enthusiasm about finally having her perform. “We were so excited to have her join us in 2020 and were absolutely gutted the show couldn't go ahead due to pandemic restrictions that summer,” he remarked.

“Pride is always an amazing weekend of celebration and inclusiveness of our city, and this year is going to be incredibly momentous,” Kemp added.

In 2024, the Brighton Pride parade attracted more than 300,000 attendees, according to organisers. Over the years, the event has hosted some of pop music’s biggest names, including Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, and Kylie Minogue.

Carey, a five-time Grammy winner, has frequently expressed her support for the LGBT+ community. In a 2016 interview, she said, “The LGBTQ+ community has always been a part of my life and has always been there for me, and I will always be there for them. They inspire me with their courage and resilience.”

Since its inception in 1973, when the first Gay Pride in Brighton took place, Brighton Pride has evolved to include the Pride on the Park festival.

Proceeds from Brighton Pride's ticket sales support the production costs of the Pride Festival, LGBT Community Parade, Pride Village Party, and community fundraising efforts for the Rainbow Fund and the Pride social impact fund.

Pride in the Park 2025 is set for 2 and 3 August, with more acts to be announced. Tickets will be available starting 20 February at prideonthepark.co.uk.