Mariah Carey seemed caught off guard when asked about Las Vegas.
On Monday, the singer was surprised when Piers Morgan asked her about the shooting that killed 59 people and injured 571. Considered the largest mass murder in modern history, the domestic terrorist attack happened in the same city the Grammy award-winner has a performance residency.
But despite her connection with Sin City, Carey wasn’t fully aware about the shooting that occurred on Sunday evening at a country music concert, until right before her video sit-down with the controversial British news’ host. Carey was scheduled to talk on Good Morning Britain about her upcoming Christmas tour, but Morgan decided to switch gears.
“It’s just what everybody’s gut reaction would be, which is this is horrible,” Carey initially said to the question that felt slightly opportunistic. “Have they caught the shooter yet?.. Wow, that’s just awful. Again I pray for the victims.”
Morgan continued to ask Carey about how she felt about the incident, from the perspective of having her Caesars Palace residency.
“I’ve spent a lot of time in Vegas and this type of thing happening anywhere is a tragedy. I pray for the victims and I hope that all this can stop as soon as possible.”
Adding, “It’s terrible because people just going out just listening to music, that’s what they want to do… really it’s just.. they’re out for the night and something shocking like this happens… I really don’t know what to say.”
In defense of the awkward interview, Morgan jumped on Twitter to say Carey was informed about the shooting before the taping —despite seeming caught off guard by his line of questioning.
Horrified to hear about the shooting in #LasVegas. My thoughts are with the victims and their families. Praying for everyone's safety 🙏💔
Carey later tweeted that she was horrified by the news and was praying for this affected. “Horrified to hear about the shooting in #LasVegas,” she said. “My thoughts are with the victims and their families. Praying for everyone’s safety.”
