The emancipation of Mariah
"Nobody can have a long career without experiencing the down side; some failure. But you have to remain positive. Because if you don't, your sadness will lead to bitterness and fester into something ugly and unproductive. I think ahead. I never look back."
So says Mariah Carey, who emerged from the tarnished dust of "Glitter" - the movie and the album - and the iffy reception of "Charmbracelet". She stands today at the pinnacle of her career. Carey's CD, "The Emancipation of Mimi", has gone double platinum. What's more, her latest single, "We Belong Together", is her 16th song to top the Billboard Hot 100. Right this minute, Mariah is the most successful female recording star ever. Only The Beatles and Elvis have had more No. 1 singles.
These days Mariah sounds like a woman who has her act together. She is full of bubbly excitement and appreciation, but not frantic, worried, obsessed, overworked. (The star insists she'll never run her energy into the ground again, as she did a few years back. This despite the fact that almost the minute she got off the phone she was heading for L.A. and then, the day after, to Japan.)
How does it feel to be historic in the music industry? "Pretty great, I have to admit. But as pleased as I am for myself, that I accomplished what I wanted to on this record, I am happier for my fans. They stuck by me. It's not that I exist for my fans, but I owe them my best. They've given me their best."
I suggested that her album should be subtitled, "The Vindication of Mariah". She laughed, "Oh, I don't think about it that way, really. What this does mean is that I have the freedom, the prerogative, if you will, to make the kind of music I want. If I want to do a gospel album, I can. Or whatever. I want to be versatile, always change, always challenge myself."
What about movies? "Believe it or not, I want to do more. And that's because, aside from 'Glitter', I also did a little indie - 'Wise Girls'. It got great reviews, and made me feel very encouraged about a film career. Anyway, people always forget that 'Glitter' came out on September 11, 2001. Maybe it wouldn't have made a difference, but I don't think it helped."
The future? "Well, I'm a right-now kind of girl. So for the very first time, I am really enjoying my career and success. I am in this moment. But I have to say, I attended Oprah's tribute to women of color, and talking to people like Leontyne Price and Tina Turner and Diana Ross... it made me know I want to go on and on. And to never be afraid."
I told Mariah that her 1994 Christmas album was my favorite, and find her "O Holy Night" one of the great, moving renditions of that song. "Oh, thanks! I am the queen of all festivities, especially Christmas, so recording that had a real significance. I'm also thinking of doing a Broadway revue based around the album. Not this year, but maybe next." (Two of the original songs Carey wrote, "All I Want for Christmas Is You" and "I Miss You Most at Christmastime" have become new holiday standards.)
Mariah gave me a hearty, happy farewell as she was hustled off to her next gig. (I have literally never heard her sound so assured.) She performs at the MTV Movie Awards on June 9, and the BET Awards on the 29th. She's on a roll. She's back, bigger than ever. And I'm happy to say I never thought she wouldn't be! (Liz Smith, New York Post)
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