Mariah Carey was the Grinch who stole Christmas after suddenly canceling a $67,500 contract for a holiday concert series with a choir that donates proceeds to poor New York City kids, according to a new lawsuit. Carey had inked a deal with the nonprofit Broadway Inspirational Voices in November 2016 for 20 professional performers to support her nine holiday concerts at Manhattan's Beacon Theater, the suit says.
The group, which is comprised of Broadway veterans who've appeared with stars like Elton John and Sting, had joined the pop singer for her annual "All I Want for Christmas" shows in 2014. Carey "shined the brightest on the choir-assisted Silent Night and Joy to the World," The Hollywood Reporter commented at the time.
The trouble with the 2016 concert series started when Carey's production company, Mirage Entertainment, failed to pay a $4,000 security deposit after signing the deal, the suit says. Then, just a week before the first show, Carey's rep told the group that the diva had "decided to go in another direction with regard to the choir", according to the Manhattan Supreme Court suit.
When they asked for explanation and payment they "were met with dismissive and derisive responses from Ms. Carey's counsel", the suit says. Her manager, Michael Morobitto, would only cite a vague "series of events beyond his control", the suit says.
"As a result BIV postponed plans to use the promised payments to fund a music program at an elementary school whose art program had been cut," according to court papers. The nonprofit is suing for $67,500 plus additional damages. Reps for Carey did not immediately return calls for comment.
(Pge Six)
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