Her diva demands and showbiz feuds are as well-documented as her five-octave vocal range, but, according to Mariah Carey, she’s never had the chance to tell her side of the story… until now.
Her upcoming memoir The Meaning Of Mariah Carey is out in September, charting her childhood and 30-year career. And it promises to lay everything bare, with the singer herself excitedly telling fans, “Though there have been countless stories about me – it’s been impossible to communicate the complexities and depths of my experience”.
But while Mariah can’t wait to see the book hit the shelves, we’re told that half of Hollywood is dreading its release – which is unsurprising, considering the many famous people who’ve been embroiled in spats with the legendary diva over the years.
We’re looking at you, Jennifer Lopez, Nicki Minaj, Madonna – and pretty much every other chanteuse who’s ever dared to open their mouth and sing.
“There are things in the book that could prove really embarrassing to a lot of people,” says an insider close to Mariah, who’s been married and divorced twice – first to music executive and producer Tommy Mottola, then to comedian Nick Cannon, with whom she shares nine-year-old twins Moroccan and Monroe.
“Mariah doesn’t have to play nice any more and she’s going for maximum impact and attention. She says there’s enough drama and juicy stories from her personal journey to fill three or four books, and it was a cathartic experience for her to let loose and correct a lot of what’s out there about her – while getting in some sweet revenge along the way.”
Check out: Mariah Carey's best diva moments ever
Mariah Carey's Diva Moments - Grazia
1 of 17Mariah Carey's Diva Moments
Do not speak to Mariah the day before a performance. She cannot under any circumstances speak ahead of performing. If anyone wants to communicate with her they have to do so through writing or sign language so that she can preserve her voice.
2 of 17Mariah Carey's Diva Moments
In case this isn't enough to preserve her heavenly tone, Mariah takes extra precaution and sleeps with 20 humidifiers in her room to care for her voice. Her bedroom even has a sloped ceiling to allow the water to drip down the sides.
3 of 17Mariah Carey's Diva Moments
Mariah, vain? Non. Apparently the star went to extreme lengths to ensure her twins were welcomed into the world to the sweet, sweet sound (of her own voice). Mariah admitted she played a live version of her song 'Fantasy' so that they could hear the applause of a standing ovation as they entered the world.
4 of 17Mariah Carey's Diva Moments
Mariah believes she should be treated like royalty, or even given presidential status, as she stormed out of President Obama's inauguration ceremony because she couldn't understand why she wasn't on the same table as the First Couple...
5 of 17Mariah Carey's Diva Moments
Never speak over Mariah. During a 2008 Good Morning America performance of Touch My Body one of Mariah's backup vocalists was singing a bit too loud for her liking so Mariah didn't hold back and sang, 'Stop singing my part now, baby.' Awkward.
6 of 17Mariah Carey's Diva Moments
Always lay out a red carpet for Queen Mariah. Back in 2005, Mariah made reservations to stay at the Baglioni Hotel in London. However, she refused to get out of her limousine until the hotel provided a red carpet lined with white candles. We feel bad even asking for room service...
7 of 17Mariah Carey's Diva Moments
Her work day is designed to fit around her nap schedule. An idea we'll be pitching to our boss…
8 of 17Mariah Carey's Diva Moments
Mariah reached next-level diva after appearing on the GMTV sofa back in 2009. After worrying her dress may crease, Mariah refused to sit down without assistance from two producers.
9 of 17Mariah Carey's Diva Moments
Mariah doesn't celebrate birthdays and manages to dismiss any questions as regards to her age. Mariah told Out magazine, 'I don't count years, but I definitely rebuke them - I have anniversaries, not birthdays, because I celebrate life, darling.'
10 of 17Mariah Carey's Diva Moments
Mariah is never in flats. She even takes it further than VB as proven when she appeared on MTV's Cribs using gym equipment in heels. She was once even quoted saying, 'I can't wear flat shoes. My feet repel them.' Obv.
11 of 17Mariah Carey's Diva Moments
In 2009, Mariah Carey was in charge of turning on the Christmas lights at Westfield shopping centre. Mariah reportedly requested 20 white kittens and 100 white doves to be released upon arrival. Just because. Her request wasn't fulfilled.
12 of 17Mariah Carey's Diva Moments
Don't ever try and put mascara on Mariah. The singer admitted to US Weekly magazine, 'I hate mascara. I never wear it. Whenever a makeup artist tries to put it on me, I throw a fit.' You've been warned.
13 of 17Mariah Carey's Diva Moments
Don't ever ask her for a selfie with Mariah if you've got a selfie stick. 'That way, I can control it. I don't need to take a selfie with someone from their bleak angle; I don't care for that,' she told Buzzfeed.
14 of 17Mariah Carey's Diva Moments
Perhaps the most infamous line of all time now. Remember when Mariah claimed she'd never heard of J-Lo? We'll leave it there.
15 of 17Mariah Carey's Diva Moments
Turns out Mariah feels the same way about lighting as she does her camera angles as the singer explained in her reality show why she wears sunglasses indoors. 'I have a rule which states that I will not be seen in fluorescent lighting without sunglasses,' she said. 'I know it's very Nineties.'
16 of 17Mariah Carey's Diva Moments
Back in 2008, Mariah was required to fly low-budget for film Tennessee. She surprisingly agreed but of course booked out the entire plane so she could have the cabin all to herself. Goals.
17 of 17Mariah Carey's Diva Moments
In 2011, Mariah appeared on online shopping channel HSN to sell jewellery and demanded the camera crew only film her from her good angles. She also wasn't best impressed when her earrings fetched for a mere £27...
If there’s one thing we know, it’s that Mariah isn’t short of adversaries – ranging from exes and rumoured former flings to music rivals. She famously had big beef with Nicki Minaj during their time as judges on American Idol, with Nicki suggesting that Mariah wasn’t happy to share the spotlight. She also reached peak levels of divadom in the early noughties when – asked what she thought of Jennifer Lopez – she famously replied, “I don’t know her.”
Then, of course, there’s her long-standing war of words with Eminem, which kicked off in 2002 when she denied the rapper’s claims that they’d dated. These are just some of the many topics that Mariah’s expected to shed light on in her book and, according to our source, she hasn’t held back.
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“Her feuds and run-ins are legendary, and she’s written about them all,” we’re told. “She’s taken the view that it all needs to be brought into the open, mainly because she’s tired of the many myths that are already out there. If people want to come out and dispute what she’s saying, then bring it on.”
Read more in the latest issue of heat magazine - OUT NOW. Find out how to get your copy at home here.