Mariah Carey dazzles Brighton Pride with ‘Protect the Dolls’ jacket

Mariah Carey brought glamour, heart, and a powerful message to Brighton Pride 2025, headlining the festival with a dazzling performance and a pro trans rights fashion statement.

The five-time Grammy winner took the stage at Preston Park on Saturday night wearing a sparkling pink, blue, and silver outfit that matched the colours of the transgender flag. Her standout piece: a bomber jacket emblazoned with the phrase 'Protect the Dolls', a tribute to trans and queer communities.

Carey’s set included timeless hits like Hero, Fantasy, We Belong Together, and Obsessed, as well as Sugar Sweet from her upcoming 16th studio album Here For It All.

Midway through her performance, she paused to address the crowd with a heartfelt message: “They’ve been here for me for so long, supported me through good times and bad, and I just wanted you to know I’ll always be there for you,” Carey said before dedicating Hero to the LGBTQ+ community.

Originally slated to headline Brighton Pride in 2020 before the pandemic led to its cancellation, Carey returned in full force with three outfit changes, a full ensemble of dancers and musicians, and a crowd of thousands singing along - even as they exited the park into the August night.

The phrase 'Protect the Dolls' originated from a viral T-shirt designed by American fashion designer Conner Ives, first unveiled at London Fashion Week in February 2025. The term “doll” is affectionate slang within LGBTQ+ circles used to refer to feminine transgender women.

Brighton Pride continues through the weekend, with performances from Sugababes, Will Young and Natalie Imbruglia still to come.

Lead photo by Sam Hussein