Wednesday 25 July 2001

Worldpop talks to Mariah

Diva demands, tantrums and rivalries with other stars, Mariah Carey's reputation isn't exactly flattering. But when worldpop caught up with the superstar, she was nothing but charming and refreshingly candid. Read our interview with Mariah to find out about her album, her movie and how she stays grounded despite over $100 million in the bank!

worldpop: Could you describe the new album Glitter for us?

Mariah: It's the soundtrack to my movie that is set in 1982 in New York's club world so there's a lot of uptempo party records. When you see the movie, you hear the songs as they would have been back then but I tried to make it like '82 meets 2002. There are also really emotional ballads on the record written from the movie's story so when you watch the movie the songs they feel stronger to you. It basically is the next Mariah album but it happens to go with the movie, which is really nice. I think the fans are going to like it.

worldpop: You worked with a lot of rappers on the album. Were you shocked by any of their antics?

Mariah: No. I don't have the upbringing people think I have. I've seen a lot of stuff in my life, which is why I connect with a lot of the different rap artists that I work with. Although people think I have this fairytale life and had this white picket fence existence, I didn't. Actually if I had to say who my favourite person to work is I would have to say Da Brat because she's one of my best friends and she's one of the most real people I've ever known. She's honest and cool and she really helped me in a lot of ways.

worldpop: How did you enjoy acting?

Mariah: Acting is something that's helped me as a person. It's not something I'm doing because it's the thing to do. I'm not the first singer to do a movie and I won't be the last. I look at it more as therapy and even if I'd never made a movie it has helped me in terms of being more free, more relaxed, more comfortable with myself and in touch with my feelings.

worldpop: You get to kiss Max Beesley in Glitter, should Mel B be worried?

Mariah: No, she needn't be jealous. Max was really fun to work with, really talented. But we're all professionals and it's really not like you can be intimate with someone on a movie set with thousands of people around!

worldpop: What's the truth behind the rivalry between you and Janet Jackson?

Mariah: I don't think it exists. I'm a fan of Janet Jackson's first of all. I can't imagine someone who's achieved what she's achieved being jealous of me. Every time I see her I introduce myself like she won't even know who I am! I watched her videos when no one even knew who I was, I didn't even have an album out, I was still in school. She's an icon. I'm sure she's not worrying about what I'm doing. And we're totally different artists so I don't see that as anything. I think that's just somebody trying to spread a rumour.

worldpop: You are the biggest female artist in the world, but what's the last really ordinary thing you did?

Mariah: The other day I had one day off and instead of sleeping which I was supposed to do I had to just jump in the ocean. I go on roller coasters and I go swimming and I do little things with my dog and cat. Is that ordinary or is that bizarre? I don't know what's ordinary and what's not. I'm never in my house long enough to clean it. I'm fortunate that I have people to help me with that because I'm never there and the place would be a junk heap!

worldpop: You sing, write, act and produce. Is there anything you can't do?

Mariah: Lots! It's not like I want to live in the studio. It can be easier for people who don't write their own songs because all they have to do is show up, sing the song and leave. I wish I could do that but I get so involved I end up staying at the studio until five in the morning. One thing I can't do is ride a bike. When I was young I was coming back from the store with a friend and I got scared because she was going really fast down the hill so I put my feet down and we just tumbled. Riding a bicycle's not my thing!

worldpop: What ambitions have you got left?

Mariah: It's less about achieving something material than achieving peace within myself and just having fun. I drag my CDs and radio everywhere with me because in the middle of interviews I need to keep my sanity. I often have a two-minute fun fest, running away from security, calling my friend, or even prank calling my mum! That keeps me grounded.

(Worldpop)



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