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Mariah Carey-Diva In Motion
By : Celeste Rodas de Juárez
It’s a modern-day Cinderella story: the girl from humble beginnings who dreams of finding love and fame. Life favored her on both counts: a magnate by the name of Tommy Mottola heard her sing and was struck by cupid’s arrow. He not only hired her to record an album for his famous record label, Sony, but ended up marrying her as well. Mariah’s debut album sold some 12 million copies, a number that doubled the year of her wedding.
She’s had top billing on Billboard magazine; People magazine ranked her as one of the 50 Most Beautiful People in 1991, and she’s been named one of the sexiest women on the planet by other well-known publications. In addition, she made recording history when she signed one of the biggest record contracts in history ($80 million with EMI/Virgin Records) and boasts two movies to her credit.
What this modern-day Cinderella never imagined was that the higher the climb to stardom, the harder the fall would be. When she had her first stumble, her glass slipper made a deafening sound. And then—like a domino effect—her life began to fall apart. First came the divorce, and almost immediately after, she went from being ranked among the most beautiful to being named to several worst dressed lists. Her album sales fell and EMI/Virgin paid her $20 million to break her contract with the label. And if that weren’t enough, notorious rapper Eminem ridiculed her in one of his songs. The media avidly devoured all her scandals, reaching a climax when Mariah suffered a nervous breakdown.
Although every detail of her life is still fresh in people’s minds, Mariah Carey is doing everything in her power to leave her past behind. That’s why in 2002, after tirelessly working on new material, she gave tons of interviews to promote her new image as well as her latest album, Charmbracelet. Afterwards, she took a well-deserved rest in the Caribbean. Nowadays, she’s able to enjoy a precious luxury she hadn’t enjoyed in years, that of combining periods of work with relaxation.
After receiving a much needed energy boost, she undertook an aggressive tour around the world. In the summer of 2002, she toured Tokyo, Nagoya and Moscow, and in the fall, she performed in Zurich, Milan, Paris, Vienna and Munich. During all these travels, Rolling Stone ranked her eighth on its list of “The 50 Wealthiest Entertainers in Rock.” And she even gained her status back on Billboard thanks to the popular jam she performed with Busta Rhymes, “I know What You Want.”
As time goes by, this sexy artist, referred by many as a “diva of the world” is entering a brighter era of her life. Throughout her career, she’s given voice to such hits as “Hero,” “Vision of Love,” “Heartbreaker,” “Butterfly” and many others; she’s part of that rare breed of singers who can actually sing—her voice reaches five octaves. She can now add to her titles that of songwriter, one who looks to events in her life for inspiration. That’s what seems to be the case in her latest album, Charmbracelet.
Why did you choose “Through the Rain” as your new album’s first single?
I’m pleased to be able to record songs that are not only spiritual, but also a reflection of myself. When some journalists started fabricating lies about me, I turned to my music for solace and joy.
Sometimes I sing about events in my life, which is the case of this song that’s about how to work through difficult times without losing faith in yourself. It’s an extremely spiritual song. I’m very proud of its message, as well the mood it evokes.
How biographical is your new album Charmbracelet?
I am inspired to write about all types of situations. Many of my songs are biographical, and others are stories that I’ve been told or read and that I write down later. “Through the Rain” was definitely inspired by my own circumstances, as it speaks of surviving in the midst of problems and through different stages in life.
The album also includes a very romantic song called "Yours.” Is that one also biographical?
That’s a song for people in love. “Yours” is a song that I wrote while thinking of special occasions. I think it would be a great song for a couple to dance to at their wedding. It’s definitely not about my life; many times I’m inspired by other people.
Does this mean that Mariah Carey has not fallen in love again?
Let’s just say that I’m in love with life… (laughs). That sounds good to me.
Speaking of writing, you’ve had a very successful life. The fact that you’ve already sold 150 million records at barely 32 years of age is an incredible feat. Have you considered writing an autobiography?
Yes, I’d love to do. It’s something that I’ve already considered. If I write it one day, I’d love to begin by telling the story of my grandparents. If my own life has been interesting, and unique things have happened to me, then the whole story of how I got here would be even more interesting due to my ethnic background—it’s so diverse! I think that people should understand that first: where I came from. So I’d have to write a sort of miniseries about my ancestors first.
Since your paternal grandfather was Venezuelan, what part of your personality do you consider Latin?
Latinos are warm and affectionate, very real. I’d like to think that I’m that kind of person.
A lot of rumors have been circulating, and much has been said about your private life. If you could erase one of those false rumors that have been spread about you, which one would it be?
Well, I’d like to erase all of them, but unfortunately people like to dramatize things because they need to make money. That’s why sometimes they say, “Mariah had 35 nervous breakdowns” or that “she’s gained this many pounds” instead of saying that “Mariah was trying to rest” or that “she was happy with her friends.” But people aren’t like that.
We’ve been asked not to mention two particular subjects, but I’d love to know why this request was made. Are those situations still very painful for you?
What subjects aren’t you allowed to speak to me about?
We were asked not to mention Luis Miguel or your nervous breakdown.
Well, that request certainly didn’t come from me. But I’d really like to clear something up—I didn’t suffer a nervous breakdown. That’s something that paralyzes people and doesn’t allow them to move for several days. That’s not what happened to me; I had an isolated episode of physical exhaustion. I had been unable to get enough sleep, and as anyone can confirm, that will wear you out. Someone who can’t sleep for a certain number of days could literally die. Something like that is what happened to me and could happen to anyone. Most people work from 9-5, but I was working 20 hours a day for two consecutive months. My body was unable to bear it. That’s all that happened, but that week was turned into the biggest drama in the world. It was only a fleeting moment in my life, but you know what? That doesn’t undo all the gifts and blessings that I’ve had in my life.
I’ve very grateful for the kind of life I’ve been allowed to live, for all the support of my fans, for all the songs that I’ve written and that I’ve been number one—that’s the most important thing. You can ask me whatever you want, and I’ll tell you the truth: all I needed was a week in bed and some rest. And that’s not a lot to ask, but people began hiding behind bushes and taking photographs that were accompanied by lies. Or, they said that Luis Miguel and I were together during Christmas 2001, when we weren’t. But that’s part of being a celebrity. And that’s all. (laughs)
With over a hundred fifty million albums sold, do you still have any other goals to reach?
I honestly want to enjoy life more. Now more than ever, I want to focus on my personal life. I’m talking about the little things that make life beautiful and that sometimes, in the daily grind, we take for granted.
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