It is the post-Halloween holiday season, which means Mariah Carey has once again emerged from hibernation to grace us with her presence.
Last year, it was in the form of the Christmas Special she aired, which saw Carey on a journey to the North Pole to help make Christmas happen. This year, it is in the form of a partnership with McDonald's.
However, the initial promotional image for the partnership was...unsettling.
Mariah's back for the holiday season and this time, she's bringing a whole menu with her pic.twitter.com/loeeSfe6k2
— McDonald's (@McDonalds) November 10, 2021
In the photo, a clearly photoshopped Carey emerges from the ocean in a red dress while a McDonald's sign inexplicably lingers in the middle of the ocean behind her.
No more answers were provided about the context of this promo.
im high as shit and freaking out that there's a giant mobile macdonalds under the ocean that only her majesty, queen of the sea, Mariah has the codes to https://t.co/M3W6hOBhqO
— Lord Bung | BLM (@Lord_Bung) November 11, 2021
Ok but what's the story with her emerging from the ocean ? https://t.co/r0FzRK7shj
— Brett Miller (@superbrett1430) November 10, 2021
She knows her memes https://t.co/PHLUu1Dusu pic.twitter.com/e9N2Oz5lgu
— I. (@infinityvariant) November 10, 2021
This looks like something I'd make in 10th grade photoshop https://t.co/J7YrdWcZhv
— ✨🐀✨ (@LindaAdvent) November 10, 2021
Questions flew around the internet, including on a list by Dave Holes on Yahoo! Life:
"Why is Mariah Carey emerging from the ocean? Why is a McDonald's sign emerging from the ocean? Is there, like, an underwater McDonald's in this universe?"
"Is it pick-up only, or is dine-in available via a system of airlocks and hatches? Does the little wave behind the pole of the McDonald's sign indicate that the underwater McDonald's is in motion?"
Not McDonald's opening in Atlantis 🐟🐠🐡🌊 https://t.co/BJkg9dt6Lc
— Terry | 🤩 (@tezzagotbagged) November 10, 2021
Graphic design is my passion https://t.co/j4uuhUN23q
— Spinez (@Spinez_) November 11, 2021
she's literally in the middle of the ocean and no one is gonna save her ????😕 https://t.co/sJjzY19RdD
— syd (@sydlyo) November 10, 2021
The Birth of Venus (Botticelli, 1485) https://t.co/KNq2Oooeb7
— local hater (@loosekalli) November 10, 2021
The puzzling image is explained in a video where Mariah promotes her "Mariah Menu" for the upcoming holiday season.
She wears the same dress and appears in front of a similarly photoshopped McDonald's restaurant in winter.
But some people had other theories.
🎤I don't want a lot for Christmas
There is just one thing I need
A holiday-themed fast food menu
With a Botticelli marketing vibe 🎤 https://t.co/BMs3lIe4av
— Daniel “Giblets!" Summers, MD (@WFKARS) November 10, 2021
what in the climate change is happening here https://t.co/yaK7TDrsQo
— Drew Tuma (@DrewTumaABC7) November 10, 2021
imagine it's day 23 of survivor, you wake up and see this https://t.co/QeOKOeJcAO
— goob (@gabebergado) November 10, 2021
Sneak peak at how corporations will try to make the best of our 2.4C warming future. https://t.co/eGPcTCtwZt
— Travis Nichols (@travisjnichols) November 10, 2021
Whether or not one can make sense of this meme, Carey's follow up tweet didn't help.
But that reminds us—isn't it time for another play of "All I Want For Christmas Is You"?
@realDonaldTrump/Truth Social
breast cancer GIF by Baptist Health South Florida 
Teddy Bear Doctor GIF 
feeling neck skin GIF 
praying GIF 
@kaitlancollins/X
@GovPressOffice/X