'What time does the ball drop?' Mariah Carey assigned a special team to get her to Times Square before midnight after the diva's people panicked organizers with VERY obvious question

EXCLUSIVE - Weed belong together: Mariah Carey is pictured at a marijuana dispensary on Christmas Eve - as it's revealed she DID do a soundcheck before 'sabotaged' New Year lip-sync disaster
The Donald blasts Rahm Emanuel for Chicago's bloodiest year in almost two DECADES: Trump says the mayor must ask for federal help if he can't fix the city after a record 762 homicides in 2016
Texas homeowner shoots and kills drunk guest who refused to leave his son's New Year's Eve party at exclusive airport town where every resident has their own plane
Are YOU smart enough to ace this school exam? Simple test designed for 10-year-old's leaves the internet baffled with its trick questions
Will Obama use the five-minute break between congressional sessions on Tuesday to appoint Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court?
From an upside down kiss to a VERY steamy toilet embrace, are these the most cringeworthy engagement photos EVER?
Is iOS 10.3 on the way already? Rumor claims Apple's update could debut this month with 'Theater Mode' for texting during a movie
Huma Abedin spends the holidays in the Hamptons with her son - without Anthony Weiner
'I will miss my Abadaba and my Momby': Billie Lourd breaks her silence with tribute to mother Carrie Fisher and grandmother Debbie Reynolds after they died a day apart
PICTURED: The Washington DC hotel guest who fell to his death down a boiler shaft after 'going to the roof with his girlfriend for better city views'
'Putin behaves like the only adult in the room': Former CIA agent claims Obama went too far in expelling Russian diplomats over hacking row
The horrific aftermath of ISIS New Year's Eve massacre: Pictures from inside Istanbul nightclub show bodies strewn across the bloody floor as police question eight people after terrorist killed 39
Turkish police release film footage of ISIS gunman who murdered 39 in Istanbul nightclub as they quiz eight suspects and raid their homes
Turkey's revenge: Jets and tanks strike 100 ISIS targets in Northern Syria just hours after terror group's gunman kills 39 New Year's Eve revelers in Istanbul nightclub
'He looked relaxed and was very precise in the way he shot, like a professional': Soccer player who survived Istanbul nightclub massacre relives the moment AK47 gunman murdered revellers as they pleased for their lives
Saved by his cellphone: Delaware businessman, 35, cheats death in Istanbul nightclub terror attack and his headed home after his phone takes impact of bullet shot by 'ISIS' gunman who killed 39
India mourns victims of Turkey massacre: Fashion designer and Bollywood director are named among the 39 victims of ISIS gunman who brought terror to Istanbul nightclub
German police arrest Syrian refugee 'who asked ISIS for $200,000 to turn cars into suicide bombs he could drive into crowds of non-Muslims'
ISIS release shocking video of double suicide blast which killed 27 in Baghdad marketplace
You insult me, sir! Mass brawl breaks out at restaurant at 4am after a customer throws a drink in the manager's FACE
'Obama and other Muslims not welcome here': Convenience store sparks outrage with racist 'welcome' sign
Samsung unveils THREE new phones: New Galaxy A handsets feature metal frame with a glass back - and all are water and dust resistant
Reunited! Katie Couric reunites with Matt Lauer on Today as she returns to host the morning show for the first time in a decade
'Frankly ABSURD': Producers ridicule Mariah Carey's claim that her New Year lip-sync disaster was caused by sabotage after the diva blamed a faulty earpiece

Superstar singer will herald the start of 2017 and perform in NYC's Times Square
Organizers of Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin Eve worried she might be late
The star is reportedly unaware of the timing of traditional ball drop ceremony

Published: 02:21 EST, 31 December 2016 | Updated: 20:24 EST, 31 December 2016

e-mail

218

View
comments

Mariah Carey sparked mild panic and caused an organizational headache for New Year's Eve organizers in New York City by asking what time the famous ball drops in Times Square.

Booked as the top guest for Dick Clark's Rockin Eve with Ryan Seacrest, the megastar is supposed to herald the start of 2017 as the Waterford Crystal drops at midnight.

However, the producers of the show are so concerned she might be late, that they have hired an entire crew to ensure the legendary diva makes it to the ball on time.

Indeed, according to the New York Post, the first alarms bells rang when the star's team appeared not to be aware of the world renowned ceremony.

When producers asked what time she would arrive, Carey's people replied, 'What time exactly does the ball drop?'

Scroll down for video

Don't drop the ball! Mariah Carey has been assigned a special team to make sure she isn't late for her Times Square gig on New Year's Eve. Her new beau Bryan Tanaka is also helping to make sure she doesn't miss midnight, and was seen carrying her on the stage in rehearsals

The pair were seen going through the routine that will be seen by millions of people who will be packed into Times Square to bring in the new year

So worried are organizers that they assigned a special team to make sure she isn't late for her Times Square gig in the closing moments of December 31.

'Mariah has to be on time. She is the top performer in Times Square right before the ball drop,' a source told the New York Post.

'They’ve booked her an apartment at a top Times Square hotel for hair and makeup because they fear she’d never make it from her Manhattan apartment on time.

'There’s a team of top producers tasked to get her there on time and shepherd her to the stage,' they added.

The couple were seen getting close in the company of other backing dancers as they prepared for their performance

Mariah grabs onto metal railings as she practices for her showpiece set in the Big Apple

Top billing: The diva is set to ring in 2017 as the headliner for the famous Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve With Ryan Seacrest in the closing moments of December 31

Can't be late: Producers are so worried about the superstar not making one of her renowned dramatic late entrances

Getting ready: Organizers prepare for the Times Square New Year's Eve celebrations in New York City

Workers manage the cables of the Waterford crystal ball during a test run-up to Times Square New Year's Eve 2017

However, a source in Mariah's camp said if all else fails, Batman will get her to Gotham on time; the two became friends after Mimi was cast as Mayor McCaskill in the upcoming Lego Batman movie.

The production teams fears may not be entirely unfounded; in a recent episode of Mariah's World, the singer completely missed her start time for a concert in Luxembourg, after she overlooked the time difference between it and her base in London.

Mariah can have no excuses of being tired: she will be fully refreshed after her Christmas break in Aspen, where Airbnb set her up in a magnificent $22million mansion.

Break: Mariah can have no excuses of being tired: she will be fully refreshed after her Christmas break in Aspen, where Airbnb set her up in a magnificent $22million mansion

Nice pad! She spent the holidays enjoying the slopes with her five-year-old twins Moroccan and Monroe, and her 33-year-old boyfriend Bryan Tanaka

She spent the holidays enjoying the slopes with her five-year-old twins Moroccan and Monroe, and her 33-year-old boyfriend Bryan Tanaka.

The Heartbreaker hitmaker doesn't come cheap either: she recently opened the Saks Fifth Avenue Christmas display in Toronto - singing two songs - for a reported $1million.

Last week she announced a North American All The Hits Tour with Lionel Richie set for next year.

Also on the line-up for the NYE gig are DNCE, Thomas Rhett, and Gloria Estefan and the cast of her Broadway musical On Your Feet!

O holy dark night: A source in Mariah's camp said if all else fails, Batman will get her to Gotham on time; the two became friends after Mimi was cast as Mayor McCaskill in the upcoming Lego Batman movie