‘It’s Time:’ Mariah Carey Kicks Off The Holiday Season With New Sephora Campaign

The “Most Wonderful Time of the Year” is right around the corner. To help kick off the holiday season, Sephora enlisted none other than the Queen of Christmas herself, Mariah Carey, for its latest campaign. “The holidays are a time to celebrate and spread joy, I’m so excited to kick off the season with Sephora,” she said in a press release. “It’s all about creating those magical moments that make you feel glamorous from the inside out.” 

Coming in at just under a minute, the advertisement opens with Mariah returning from a holiday party, rocking an angel costume— complete with a halo and fluffy, white wings. “Halloween slayed, but now….” Carey began. “But now, it’s time…” However, the camera quickly cuts to her vanity, revealing a knocked-over Sephora bag—a nod to her new partnership— with several items apparently missing.

“The holidays are a time to celebrate and spread joy,” Mariah Carey Says

“Spill the tea. Who’s the thief?” The camera then pans to comedian Billy Eichner, who declares the elves were on strike and Christmas had been “canceled” for the year. “Bad news, Mariah Carey. The elves are striking this year. Elf revenge for putting us through holiday hell. Santa’s helper quit,” Eichner said while walking off with several bags under his arm. “I’m pawning all this so I can afford elf therapy.”

He added, “Christmas is canceled — no bells, no cheer, no glam. Bye, sweetie.” However, Mariah stood firm, declaring, “You can’t cancel Christmas!” Not long after, she burst out her iconic line, “It’s time,” as her outfit transformed into a red, glimmery Santa Claus-esque bodysuit. Later on in the clip, Carey is spotted manning a sleigh and dropping off a few Sephora bags down chimneys as “All I Want for Christmas Is You” plays in the background. The ad ends with Mariah riding around the Statue of Liberty, as the phrase “It’s time” appears in golden letters.