YouTube Orders Holiday Special Featuring Mariah Carey

LOS ANGELES: This month, YouTube Red will debut The Keys of Christmas, a holiday special starring Mariah Carey and featuring original musical performances by Fifth Harmony and more.

The Keys of Christmas will debut on YouTube Red on December 19. In addition to Carey and Fifth Harmony, the special will feature Ciara and DJ Khaled, as well as YouTube comedy star Rudy Mancuso. It will also include original performances by Alex Aiono, Boyce Avenue, Nicky Jam, Bebe Rexha and Gregory Brothers. Mike Tyson will make a special appearance.

The ensemble cast will take Mancuso on a magical adventure that helps teach him the true meaning of Christmas, uncovering what happens when you accidentally go off the grid on Christmas Eve. The special from Endemol Shine North America, its digital studio Endemol Shine Beyond USA and Just Entertainment Studios will be directed by Grammy Award-winning music director Dave Meyers (Katy Perry’s “Firework,” Pink’s “Just Like Fire” and Rihanna’s “Where Have You Been”).

“Music is wildly popular on YouTube and we’re excited to bring together some of the biggest names in music alongside some of the biggest stars on YouTube,” said Ben Relles, the head of unscripted for YouTube Originals. “The musical icons and rising artists in The Keys of Christmas bring this new holiday tale to life. We are also thrilled to have YouTube comedy star Rudy Mancuso in his first leading role in a music special.”

“The Keys of Christmas is truly a modern take on the holiday variety special, bringing together traditional and digital natives in this very unique musical format for the YouTube audience,” said Bonnie Pan, the president of Endemol Shine Beyond USA. “Dave Meyers, who has an amazing track record working with the top musical acts of our time, had a vision and was able to weave that into a fresh new format with the likes of Mariah Carey, Ciara, DJ Khaled, Fifth Harmony, Rudy Mancuso and many other incredible performers just in time for Christmas.”

“Nothing makes you believe in a Christmas miracle more than creating a show where over 20 super stars from Mariah Carey to DJ Khaled, Rudy Mancuso, Fifth Harmony and the champ himself, Mike Tyson, all come together,” said Justin Hochberg, the CEO of Just Entertainment Studios. “Christmas is the global holiday, so launching this show worldwide in one magical night with YouTube Red is the perfect partnership.”