Mariah Carey's formula for success
Mariah Carey became one of the world's hottest singers in the early 90s when she released her debut album "Mariah Carey". However, after a series of successful records, interest in Mariah's career started to wane following her attempt to break into the movie industry with "Glitter" and her poorly received 10th studio album "The Emancipation of Mimi".
Now Mariah is fighting to get her pop queen crown back, armed with her new sculpted figure, album "E=MC2", and single "Touch My Body". Explaining the scientific-themed title as, "Mariah Carey to the second power. We're taking this to the next level", the 37-year-old star is hoping the new record - on which she collaborates with rapper T.I. and hip-hop producer Polow Da Don - will show fans she still has what it takes to compete against younger stars such as Amy Winehouse and Rihanna.
Born in New York in 1970, it was only when she met Columbia Records executive Tommy Mottola at a party in 1988 that Mariah's musical career started. The couple embarked on not only a professionally but also a personal relationship, marrying in 1993. However, just four years later the couple officially separated, with Mariah - who had by this point secured worldwide fame thanks to five hit albums - later admitting she felt "trapped" in the union and describing the music mogul as "controlling".
With a fresh start the singer decided to take her musical style in a different direction employing rappers P. Diddy and Missy Elliot to help give "Butterfly", her sixth studio album, a hip-hop feel. However, even Mariah's most avid fans felt the album lacked her previous musical lustre and critics blasted her for employing too much of her "breathy voice" technique - a criticism Mariah labelled unfair.
She said: "That voice has been here all along. Even if you listen to the oh-so-dissed 'Glitter' soundtrack, there is a song called 'Lead The Way' which is one of my best vocal performances ever. People who only heard certain singles would be like, 'Why is she singing so breathy?' Some people are of the opinion that if you have a big voice you should use it all the time. But I don't want to hear someone scream at me all the time."
But Mariah's musical talents were being overshadowed by reports of her exhibiting diva-like behaviour, including making outrageous demands on the set of her music videos and refusing to wear flat shoes. However, Mariah denied the reports, insisting: "I am baffled, shocked and appalled when I am called a diva. I've never done one diva-like thing in my life. The actual definition of a diva is a woman who sings well. The secondary definition is a woman who is difficult to deal with. I hope I am the first, but I really don't think I am the second. I don't believe I am truly nasty and act in a bad way."
While Mariah is being kept busy in terms of her professional life, her personal life has been relatively quiet since her divorce from Mottola was finalised in 1998. Despite being romantically linked to Latino singer Luis Miguel and baseball player Derek Jeter, Mariah has yet to find her soul mate, and recently revealed while she definitely wants to have children, she wants to make sure she is fully ready.
She said: "Obviously having a kid is a commitment for life. I really would have to be very, very positive that I was in a place where I could completely focus and put everything into the job of being someone's mommy because it's hard enough to have a puppy."
But while many people think Mariah has a legendary voice, she says "legend" is not a label she is comfortable with. She said: "I don't feel like a legend. I feel like I've just worked really hard doing what I'm doing and I'm continuing to work just as hard, if not harder now, to really try and maintain what I've accomplished and to go further. But it's definitely not like 'I'm a legend!' "
With her new single "Touch My Body", Mariah is returning to her roots - showing off her vocal talents to the best of her ability, and showcasing her toned new body in the video shot by "X-Men: The Last Stand" director Brett Ratner.
But even Mariah is amazed at how popular the song - which is released in the US on March 24, and the in the UK on March 31 - is proving to be. She said: "It is just so amazing to find out how fast 'Touch My Body' is exploding all over the world. I'm so thankful because it's a song that I love so much and a song that really does express my personality. I feel like if you hear that song and watch the video you get a little glimpse into who I am as a person. I feel so close to that song that my really close friends say it's their favourite song because it's fun and its cute. It's not taking itself too seriously. The 'Touch My Body' part is the sexy part of the song but I love the humour in the song too. I love adding the element of humour because why take it seriously? That's my whole thing, people think I take things so seriously, but I just wanted to have fun."
Now the stunning singer is hoping to return to her former glory with a worldwide tour. She said: "I'm thinking about touring. I don't want to toot my horn about my own work but there is a lot of exciting stuff coming up. There is a possible tour if everybody in management hooks it up for me and makes it right. It's exciting because I get to be with my fans."
Her new music isn't the only way Mariah is set to find success in 2008. After her acting debut in "Glitter" alongside hot Brit actor Max Beesley was universally slated, Mariah is determined to show the failure was a one off, and is hoping to be taken seriously as an actress after landing a role in Aaron Woodley's "Tennessee".
Like "Glitter", Mariah can draw on her own experiences playing an aspiring singer, this time a waitress known as Krsytal who joins two brothers, one of whom is suffering from leukemia, on a journey to try and find a cure for the disease. Mariah said: "My character is so not what you would think. This is not about hairdos and ensembles. Krystal is in the trenches! 'Tennessee' is the first thing I was really able to go in and focus on, so that was really fun. Everything else is really a blessing. I wanted to start off doing small roles so that I could learn that each role is its own thing. A part is best when you can really put your whole self into it."
With a role on Adam Sandler's new comedy "You Don't Mess with the Zohan" also under her belt, Mariah seems to be concentrating as much on her movie career as her music. While Mariah's success with her new album remains to be seen, this is one diva (in the nicest sense of the word) who is not ready to roll over and let her younger rivals pass her by.
Films parts, albums and tours are all contributing to Mariah's staying power, but it is ultimately the legions of fans worldwide that will ensure she remains on her pedestal. (FemaleFirst)
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