Will "Say Somethin'" be Mariah's 5th single from "The Emancipation of Mimi"? Only time will tell.

Earlier this month, it was believed "Fly Like A Bird" would become the fifth single from 'Mimi'. After a stellar performance at the Grammy Awards, accompanied with a single review from Billboard Magazine and early 'adds' to several radio stations, it seemed that "Fly Like A Bird" was poised to storm the airwaves. The All Access Music Group still lists March 14 (Rhythmic / Crossover) and April 4 (Mainstream) as the song's radio impact dates.

However, radio industry magazine FMQB states today that "Say Somethin'" will be the 'Mimi' song going for radio adds in April:

Mariah Carey f/Snoop Dogg "Say Something"
April 10-11: Rhythmic / Crossover

In addition, the song was played on Carson Daly's radio show, presented as "the new single by Mariah Carey."

MTV News in France reported that Mariah is getting ready to shoot her next music video (for "Say Somethin'") with Snoop Dogg and Pharrell in Paris.

Will who has been a long time contributor to 'Mariah Daily' is selling his rare Mariah items on e-Bay. Take a look at his current auctions here. Keep checking the page for more listings of other items.

Sassy yet sensitive, Mariah Carey’s up-and-down life is no surprise given her complex birth chart. Like many Aries, she’s lived -- and accomplished -- a ton in a very short time. Find out what other aspects of her astrological profile have made this diva rise and fall … and rise again.

Mariah’s a one-of-a-kind singer with a five-octave vocal range who made a beeline from high school to the Big Apple to become the best-selling female artist of all time. She had help along the way, starting with a doting mother who shared her love for music. Then there was her ex-husband, Sony head-honcho Tommy Mottola, who intercepted a Mariah demo tape at a party and engineered her rise to the top. She survived a highly-publicized personal breakdown -- and the boot from her record company -- to return to the spotlight with 2005’s The Emancipation of Mimi, a perfect title for an independent Aries like her.

Born March 27, 1970, on Long Island, New York, Mariah has always expressed the fiery passion and self-motivation of her sign. She began writing her own songs while still in middle school -- forget the words or melodies of others. This single-mindedness is typical of Aries’ ability to block out the rest of the world while blazing a solo trail to success. Aries is a sign of originality, where the core motivation is not about impressing others but about channeling creative impulses in a totally fresh and vibrant way.

Mariah’s drive toward uniqueness is underscored by an opposition in her birth chart between her Sun in Aries and the revolutionary planet Uranus. This is a combination of genius, inventiveness and an instinct to see trends long before others can. The powerful connection between the Sun and Uranus can also signal a hot temper and an unwillingness to compromise -- an explosive combination that has gained Mariah some bad press on more than one public occasion.

But it’s more than a willful personality that sets the pop star apart. It’s a deep sensitivity that can leave her feeling vulnerable no matter how much fame she achieves. The astrological key to such openness is a close conjunction between her Moon and Neptune. Otherworldly Neptune inspires her emotional and intuitive Moon to create moving lyrics and music. The downside of such receptivity is that even a wall of bodyguards cannot make her feel safe. Regardless of the defenses thrown up to protect her, she still feels totally open and exposed.

Like the butterflies she loves so much, Mariah is both flashy and fragile. The inventiveness of her Aries Sun opposite Uranus will continue to engage her fans, allowing her to tap into the sound of the moment. Although the sensitivity and caretaking driven by her Moon-Neptune conjunction can make her unstable sometimes, her Aries Sun relentlessly starts over again, refusing to let anyone or anything get in her way.

Mariah Carey will star in Tennessee, an independent drama to be directed by Aaron Woodley (Rhinoceros Eyes) from a script by Russell Schaumberg, reports Variety. The film will be produced by Lee Daniels (Monster's Ball) and shoots in New Mexico and Tennessee this spring.

Carey plays a waitress who sets off with two brothers to find their estranged father. Their goal: Get dad involved in saving their younger brother, who has leukemia.

While Carey's movie resume is overshadowed by the disappointing 2001 film Glitter, Daniels got the idea to cast her after watching her Grammy-winning album "The Emancipation of Mimi" become the biggest selling disc of 2005 and viewing her work in 2002's WiseGirls.

"I never saw 'Glitter,' but I liked her work in the other film. Because this character is interracial and struggles with all sorts of issues because of that, I thought she was perfect," said Daniels, who also produced "The Woodsman" and made his directing debut on the Helen Mirren-Cuba Gooding Jr. starrer "Shadowboxer."

Additional Information:
Russell Schaumburg has written numerous feature-length film screenplays, including “Tennessee” and “The Man in the Woods”. Both placed among the top 50 finalists in the prestigious Chesterfield Writer’s Film Project. He was also a semifinalist in The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting program.

Lee Daniels, producer of “Monster’s Ball” and “The Woodsman,” optioned Schaumburg’s “Tennessee” this past May, and its upcoming production was recently announced in Daily Variety.

“Tennessee” is a story about two brothers who must return to their boyhood home in East Tennessee from New Mexico to find their abusive father when one of the brothers falls ill and needs a life-saving bone marrow transplant from the very man they ran from many years ago.

The Mariah Anniversary Party 2006 is just around the corner. Calling all L.A area MC fans to come celebrate Mimi's Anniversary in the heart of Hollywood. If you attended last year, stop by this year! Come if you want to have a good time, meet other MC fans, and celebrate MC’s Anniversary in a festive environment. This event will take place Saturday, March 25th 2006 at 3:30 pm at:

Hamburger Hamlet
323 467 6106
6914 Hollywood Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90028

Dress up, dress down, rock your favorite Mimi attire! There will be giveaways, and much more! For more information contact Kelly by e-mail and RSVP by March 13th, 2006. Thanks!

TMZ has exclusively learned the lineup of performers and presenters at the 20th annual Soul Train Music Awards, set to take place Mar. 4 at California's Pasadena Civic Auditorium. The nationally syndicated show will air Mar. 11 to Mar. 19 at different times and dates.

The artists scheduled to perform at the show include Black Eyed Peas, John Legend, Charlie Wilson, Keyshia Cole, Flipsyde, Chris Brown and the Pussycat Dolls featuring Avant.

TMZ has learned that Mariah Carey and Lyfe Jennings are confirmed to attend. Carey is nominated for best R&B/soul album, female ('The Emancipation of Mimi') and R&B/soul single, female ('We Belong Together'). Jennings is up for best R&B/soul or rap new artist.

Congratulations, Mariah!

Mariah Carey, nominated for four awards, kept her comeback streak going when her "The Emancipation of Mimi" won Best Album at tonight's 37th Annual NAACP Image Awards in Los Angeles, California. Mariah's win came just weeks after she took home three Grammy Awards.

Alicia Keys, who tied Mariah for Image Award nominations, took home three awards: top female musical artist, top song and video awards for "Unbreakable."

Click on the links below to view screen captures and download a video file (in SVCD format) of Mariah at the 4th Annual TRL Awards where she won the award for "TRL's 1st Lady" and was honored with a special TRL retirement plaque for her three #1 music videos.



[ Download: Mariah at TRL Awards here ]
Speech
This is so nice. I've never received an MTV award of any sort and this means the most to me because it's from the voters, the fans, and that's what really matters. And I just have to thank God for all my blessings and thank everybody who helped me with this album and really mainly thank the fans because without you guys, I wouldn't be standing here right now. And thank you MTV for showing me the love always. It's great to be here. Lots of love. Godbless. Buh-bye!

Presentation of the TRL Retirement plaque
Damien: Well, Kelly Clarkson just said she is a huge fan of this lady. I gotta think anybody who sings for a living is a big fan of Miss Mariah Carey. The woman y'all is TRL's 1st Lady.
Mariah: Thank you. Very nice of you to say.

Damien: And I gotta say, this is the little rumor I heard backstage talking to some of your people, you actually cut your vacation short to be here.
Mariah: I was. Yes, I was on a really beautiful island yesterday in the Bahamas and it was great. No, I was fortunate to have a vacation, it was cool but I wanted to be here because you know, it wouldn't be the same. We could have taped something and been you know, from the Bahamas live with water dripping down the body and all that stuff but I wanted to be with the real people 'cause these are the people that make it happen and this is the place to be. You know what I mean?

Damien: You see, that is exactly why you are TRL's 1st Lady because you show up and we really do appreciate it.
Mariah: No, I appreciate being here so thank you.

Damien: No problem. Absolutely. You know there's no question you earned your trophy. That big comeback that you had. What an amazing year in 2005.
Mariah: Don't call it a comeback. Didn't you just see LL Cool J? I've been here for years.

Damien: Yeah. I did see it. You're right. 3 Grammys, best-selling album of 05. What did this past year mean to you personally?
Mariah: You know what, for me personally, and I know we're not trying to get too deep 'cause it's TRL and we all wanna have fun.

Damien: If you wanna go for it, I'll sit down.
Mariah: No, haha you'll sit down? Well, I'll just get real deep haha. No, for real, honestly, what it meant to me was just making music that I love, and it meant just enjoying the fact that the fans appreciated you know, the record and just being grateful to God because without Him, none of this is possible. And so, here I am.

Damien: Your videos, this is a huge feat, your videos spent a combined 23 days at the #1 position over the past year. Three videos that made the countdown, retired after 50 days and since those retired, we built a special plaque to honor such an amazing achievement. You ready for this? This is your new TRL retirement plaque. How's that? Ain't that nice? Touch it, touch it!
Mariah: Wow! It is so nice! Ohh. That's hot tamale. That is so nice!

Damien: You wanna say anything to the fans maybe out there who voted for you day in and day out?
Mariah: Day in and day out, I have to say to the best fans in the world, I love you. And you know that's true from the bottom of my heart. I'm here today, I will be here for you every day of my life. Thank you for voting for me. Not a vote goes unappreciated. I love you, love you, love you. God bless you!

Damien: Very nice! Mariah, thank you very much for stopping by. We do appreciate it.
Mariah: Thank you, darling.

Meanwhile, TRL's "Countdown Killer" winner Kelly Clarkson, via a live video feed from London, was on hand to answer some questions for TRL's "Sound Off" segment. In reply to the question, "Everyone has posters on their bedroom walls growing up, who was on your bedroom wall?" Kelly said, "Oh, I had Mariah Carey, Reba McEntire, Aerosmith, Guns N' Roses, had a bunch. I had a lot of Mariah Carey though." Download a video clip here.

Title: Mariah Carey: Definition of a Diva - DVD
Genere: Documentary
Format: NTSC
Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only.)
Studio: Music Video Dist.
DVD Release Date: April 25, 2006

Description: By definition, diva means “goddess.” Goddess being a term that is more than applicable when referencing a superstar whose career appears to have been subject to divine intervention. For almost two decades, Mariah Carey has stood the tests of time. Through highly publicized failed relationships, rumors of emotional breakdowns, and speculation of a finished career due to declining album sales and unfavorable reviews concerning her acting endeavors, Mariah has proven to possess the most important attribute of any person who carries the label of DIVA: durability.

“Definition of a Diva” takes an in depth look into Mariah’s adversity-filled journey to superstardom; from her tormented childhood, all the way up through her re-emergence as one of the most powerful and influential voices the world has ever known.

Pre-Order:

Amazon US ($9.99)

Amazon Canada (CDN$ 12.06)

Best Buy ($12.99)

HMV Japan (1756 Yen)

Mariah Carey was poised to keep her comeback going Saturday as a leading contender for the 37th Annual NAACP Image Awards, including best song and album.

Carey, Kanye West and Alicia Keys had four nominations each going into the awards honoring achievement by blacks in movies, television, music and literature, while Terrence Howard had two acting nominations for the films "Crash" and "Hustle & Flow."

Carey's bid for four Image Awards came just weeks after she took home three Grammy Awards, out of eight nominations. Many were surprised she didn't win more, given that her "Emancipation of Mimi" was one of the best-selling albums of the year.

Still, Carey's return to pop grace in 2005 astounded the music industry. Her platinum form of the 1990s had appeared lost for good after a series of debacles that included an emotional breakdown, a movie flop and the buy-out of her Virgin Records contract.

Best-album nominees at Saturday night's Image Awards include Carey ("The Emancipation of Mimi"), Keys ("Alicia Keys Unplugged") and West ("Late Registration"). All three also had best-song nominations Keys for "Unbreakable," Carey for "We Belong Together" and West for "Diamonds From Sierra Leone."

The 37th NAACP Image Awards tapes February 25 at the Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, CA and airs Friday, March 3 at 8 p.m. on the Fox television network.

Mariah Carey will open up her 12,000-square foot Manhattan apartment--and more importantly, her shoe collection--to Walters.

Catch the newest Barbara Walters Special Wednesday, March 1, at 10pm, on ABC.

Although she has never received a Moon Man -- the coveted MTV Video Music Awards trophy -- Mariah Carey is officially the First Lady of TRL. The singer received the honor at MTV's 4th Annual TRL Awards, which air tomorrow, Feb. 25 at 12 p.m. ET.

"This is from the voters, the viewers, the actual people who watch the channel so MTV should take note of that next time they're voting on the other award," Mariah told TEEN PEOPLE backstage at the MTV Studios where she accepted the prize. The singer then quickly added a very intentional "Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha," to indicate that she was only half serious about her suggestion.

Unlike other red carpet awards shows, the TRL Awards have a more casual atmosphere, which most of the artists seem to enjoy. "This one's different because it's a really kind of specific audience and you kind of feel like you're comfortable here. It's more fun. It's more relaxed. I don't want to say it's less serious, but it is less serious in its own way," Mariah said. "It's fun to be able to come here in jeans and receive these awards and MTV obviously took a lot of time in making the show feel special and the awards be so beautifully done and stuff, so it was really cool."

Fly Like a Bird
MARIAH CAREY
Producer(s): Mariah Carey, James Wright
Genre: R & B
Label: Island (digital download)

Now that Mariah Carey's comeback year is officially in the history books—complete with three Grammy Awards, two No. 1 singles and the best-selling album of 2005—it is time to get down to business. "The Emancipation of Mimi" spawns yet another career-redefining hit in the sweet, soulful "Fly Like a Bird," an honest-to-God religious mantra about redemption. Set against a low-key, organ-spiced groove that recalls mid-'70s R&B, Carey opens with a pretty, wispy vocal and buoyant harmonies throughout the first chorus before she waves her arms, parts the clouds and wails to the heavens as a mile-high wall of gospel background vocals joins in for the crescendo. The flight of "Bird" from humble call for deliverance into a frenzied ecclesiastic hymn is utterly spine-tingling. A joyful noise.

Artists as different as Mariah Carey and Gretchen Wilson know words have never been more important to a song's success.

Musical trends come and go -- think disco in the 1970s and grunge in the '90s. Revolutions like jazz and swing, the Motown era and even the hard rock of Led Zeppelin have had lasting impressions. But as the people who watch the charts week in and week out, as we have for decades, we can tell you: Not since the dawn of rock 'n' roll has there been as huge a phenomenon in popular music as hip-hop.

Today, we see hip-hop and rap forging a new revolution, bringing the harsh realities of poverty and racism into cleverly spun verses. And by creating a genre dominated by words that now tops the charts, hip-hop lyricists have raised the bar for storytelling across all styles.

"Lyrics these days are more a reflection of what is really going on," says songwriter/producer Sean Garrett, who has worked with recent Billboard chart-toppers Mary J. Blige and Jamie Foxx. "The blend of hip-hop and pop has done that for mainstream music."

Hip-hop and rap also have made personal revelations standard radio fare. "In the last five years, lyrics have resembled diaries of those who write them," says songwriter/producer Jermaine Dupri, who has generated hit singles for such artists as Mariah Carey and Bow Wow. "I think the fans like the records that seem closer to life."

Carey's "We Belong Together" stayed at No. 1 for weeks with a gut-wrenching, stream-of-consciousness ramble about lost love: "I can't sleep at night/When you are on my mind/Bobby Womack's on the radio/Singing to me: 'If you think you're lonely now'/Wait a minute, this is too deep/I gotta change the station."

Who would have thought a style with such a silly-sounding name would come to be taken so seriously.

Here are Mariah's Billboard chart positions for the magazine's issue date March 4, 2006.

The Emancipation of Mimi ▲6
Billboard 200: #15 (Last Week #7)
Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums: #8 (Last Week #5)
Sales this week: 55,681 (-38%)
Total Sales: 5,370,801

Don't Forget About Us
Billboard Hot 100: #37 (Last Week #29)
Billboard Hot 100 Airplay: #17 (Last Week #15)
Billboard Pop 100: #36 (Last Week #33)
Billboard Pop 100 Airplay: #26 (Last Week #24)
Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks: #18 (Last Week #14)
Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay: #18 (Last Week #13)
Billboard Adult R&B: #15 (Last Week #14)
Billboard Mainstream Top 40: #23 (Last Week #20)
Billboard Rhythmic Top 40: #17 (Last Week #17)
Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play: #35 (Last Week #25)
Billboard Dance Radio Airplay: #20 (Last Week #16)

Shake It Off
Billboard Hot 100 Recurrent: #29 (Last Week #18)
Billboard Hot 100 Airplay Recurrent: #5 (Last Week #3)
Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks: #40 (Last Week #34)
Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay: #39 (Last Week #34)

We Belong Together ▲3
Billboard Hot 100 Singles Recurrent: #3 (Last Week #2)
Billboard Hot 100 Recurrent Airplay: #2 (Last Week #1)
Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks: #50 (Last Week #44)
Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay: #49 (Last Week #41)
Billboard Hot Singles Sales: #35 (Last Week #23)
Billboard Adult Comtemporary Recurrents: #3 (Last Week #5)

So Lonely
Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks: #75 (Last Week #78)
Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay: #74 (Debut)

Fly Like a Bird
Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: #23 (Last Week #21)

Congratulations Mariah! "The Emancipation of Mimi" receives a 6xp (6 times platinum) certification from the RIAA for 6 million album units shipped in the USA!

With this certification, Mariah's total US album certifications stands at: 63 Multi Platinum. Here is the breakdown for all of Mariah's albums:

10xp: Music Box, Daydream
9xp: Mariah Carey
6xp: The Emancipation of Mimi
5xp: Merry Christmas, Butterfly, #1's
4xp: Emotions
3xp: MTV Unplugged EP, Rainbow
1xp: Glitter, Greatest Hits, Charmbracelet
Total: 63xp

Hey Fred,
I'm a new fan of your column and this is my first time asking you a question. I counted the number of weeks Mariah Carey has spent at No. 1 on the Hot 100 Airplay chart and I counted 81 weeks. Is there anyone regardless of gender who has spent more weeks at No. 1 than her ot the airplay chart? If not, then should this be counted as a record for her?

Thank you for providing a lot of helpful information!

Sincerely,
Clarence Cabanero
Bronx, New York

Fred Bronson of Billboard Chart Beat Chat answers:

Dear Clarence,
You have indeed uncovered another chart record set by Mariah Carey and before I forget, I'm glad to welcome a new "Chart Beat" fan to "Chart Beat Chat."

Only two artists have spent 50 weeks or more at No. 1 on the Hot 100 Airplay chart. The other act is Boyz II Men, with 50 weeks in pole position.

The Hot 100 Airplay chart was first published in the Dec. 8, 1990 issue of Billboard. That means that Mariah Carey's "Vision of Love" never appeared on this tally, because it was a hit before the chart existed. The chart's first No. 1 was "Love Takes Time," which would have had two more weeks at No. 1 had the chart been published earlier. Despite this, Mariah has racked up 89 weeks in the lead position. Here's how it all adds up:

"Love Takes Time," 1990 (two weeks)
"Someday," 1991 (10 weeks)
"Emotions," 1991 (four weeks)
"I'll Be There," 1992 (eight weeks)
"Dreamlover," 1993 (11 weeks)
"Hero," 1993 (10 weeks)
"Fantasy," 1995 (seven weeks)
"One Sweet Day," 1995 (13 weeks) [Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men]
"We Belong Together," 2005 (16 weeks)
"Shake It Off," 2005 (three weeks)
"Don't Forget About Us," 2005 (five weeks)

Head over to Mariah's Official Site to listen to a festive voice message left by Mariah as she dined with "Shake It Off Remix Contest" winner Melissa and her mom Wanda.

Transcript
Hi! Okay yeah, we're sitting down at the table. First of all, I wanna say 'Hey!' to everyone out there. But you know that I've missed you and I haven't even left a message since the Grammys and all that stuff 'cause I've been working really hard and you know, totally focused on that stuff.

But now, I took a little vacation. I went to a beautiful island, I came back and I'm sitting here at the table with the contest winner from the "Shake It Off Remix Contest" and I just wanted you guys to know that... and also Rachel ("I miss you guys!") is here. Yes, one of the festive troop. Even Gina's here. Why don't you say "Hi" to the people ("Hi!") Oh that was festive!

Now listen, Melissa's gonna say how she won the contest just so you guys know that it's real, it's not a scam. No, this is the reality and you too could win the contest 'cause we really had a good dinner like we sat here literally talking nonsense for like hours. Rachel told us about her days with Shaba Ranks, yes sir! We just learned all different things about Melissa's family life and what-not, hold on. ("It's Melissa. It's real and Mariah's hot.") Thank you, we don't even know what to say.

No, but we just had a really good day. The TRL Awards are gonna be on Saturday so make sure you guys tune in and hold on one second, and just even to verify what we have, one more person we're gonna put on the phone, the real deal - Melissa's mama. Hold on. ("Hello, this is Melissa's mom, Wanda, having a great time, sitting here with Mariah, just talking girl stuff. Having a ball, typical Aries. Talk to you soon.")

Anyway, we love you guys. We appreciate you and enjoy you.

--iTunes combs through some of the most intriguing and exciting new releases and picks 25 of the best new tracks available today. "So Lonely" is one of the songs featured on iTunes 25 Hot Tracks playlist.

--From NY Daily News: Mariah Carey can deny it, but it sure looks like something's up between her and bad-boy rapper Cam'ron. The duo hosted a party together at the Roxy in L.A. last weekend and were spotted snuggling at Bungalow 8 a couple of weeks ago. Mimi has also been seen riding around in his blue Lamborghini and wearing a chain of Cam's crew, the Diplomats. Sure to be displeased by the developments: Mark Sudack, the record producer who's been seeing Carey, though she's loath to call him her boyfriend.

--Mariah endorses "Glamorized" in an ad at Claire's webstore: "Hey Girls, I am so excited to share with you my new jewelry & accessory line. It's available exclusively at select Claire's stores. It's called Glamorized. Wear it & you'll be Hot Tamale." Meanwhile, check out Eric's collection of "Glamorized" items by clicking here.

--From SOHH.com, Mariah will be one of the featured artists on Freeway's sophomore album, "Free At Last." Jay-Z and 50 Cent will be appearing on and executive producing the album which will be released via Def Jam this spring.

--A report from The Monitor also reveals that Bone Thugs-n-Harmony are putting out a yet to be titled album this year and will include guest appearances from Mariah, Dr. Dre, Kanye West, Petey Pablo, just to name a few.

--Take the Access Hollywood poll and vote for Mariah! They want to know, "What was your favorite Grammy performance?" Madonna currently leads with 33% of total votes, followed closely by Mariah at 29%.

--Large illuminated letters spelled out "Happy Christmas" to Mariah Carey's seasonal "All I Want For Christmas Is You" on the soundtrack as Dolce and Gabbana's "Winter Wonderland" line was unveiled at the opening of the Milan Fashion Week. Yahoo! News reports.

--The ninth installment of the Kidz Bop series includes Mariah's "We Belong Together." You can listen to an audio clip at Amazon.com.

International News
--Mariah is featured on the March issue cover of the Japanese music magazine, InRock. Click on the thumbnail to the right for a larger picture.

--The Japanese online music stores HMV, CD Japan and Tower Records all list a re-release of Charmbracelet on April 19, 2006. It has the same tracklisting as the original (released November 20, 2002) but is offered at a much lower price. Click on the links for further details.

--Wise Girls will be released on DVD in South Africa on April 28th. The DVD is distributed by Nu Metro Home Entertainment and will be available at Musica, Look and Listen, CD Warehouse and other music and DVD leading retailers.

--"Don't Forget About Us" gains seven spots to #12 in its second week on the official New Zealand singles chart this week!

Fans Corner
--Visit the newly-redesigned message board, Mariah Hero which boasts over 1,200 members!

--Kotaro's Japanese fansite Golden Petals is back with a new layout and some new stuff! Check it out!

Below are high-quality photos of Mariah from the taping of MTV's "Total Request Live Awards" show at the MTV Times Square Studios, Tuesday, February 21, 2006 in New York City. Click on each thumbnail for a larger, full-scale view.

Mariah accepts the award for "TRL 1st Lady"

Mariah & Jack outside MTV's TRL Studios

Be sure to check our Photo Gallery for additional pictures.

The 4th Annual TRL Awards show will air on Saturday, February 25, 2006, 12:00pm ET on MTV.

In an interview with Christianity Today, gospel singer Karen Clark talks about her new album, "It's Not Over," her growth as a writer, her interaction with mainstream artists particularly Mariah Carey.

A lot of mainstream artists mention you as an influence. And you've had the opportunity to collaborate, to sing onstage or to minister. Would you share about that? Sheard: It's really an honor to be recognized by such mega-artists. I was asked to sing one of Mariah Carey's inspirational songs on a tribute album for her, and I thought that was so awesome. I felt like it was so major just to have been asked. I was told that when she heard that I'd be part of the project, she was jumpin' up like I was a mega-star! When I finally got a chance to talk with her, she began to cry and told me that she'd admired me from afar. That was really encouraging, because I've been criticized for locking arms with secular artists. But I know that I'm ministering to those artists as well as having a good time together. When I hear that someone was blessed by my music, or helped out of a difficult situation, that lets me know that I'm doing what God called me to do. So if I have to be talked about and criticized, so be it, as long as God gets the glory.

The Tyra Banks Show correspondent Rachel Gold caught up with Mariah as she welcomed guests to her post-Grammy party on February 8, 2006. Click on the links below to view screen captures and download a video file of Mariah's short interview that was aired earlier today.



[ Download the Interview here ]
Transcript
Rachel: Isn't it amazing that you're having this party and this kind of people are here?
Mariah: It's incredible. You know, it's such an honor when somebody of that stature...
Rachel: That they're all here to support you.
Mariah: Exactly. Oh my goodness! Look at the Grammy legends! This is Quincy Jones! How do we get any bigger of an honor than this!
Quincy Did you have a good night? You good?
Mariah: Yes, I did. There's three.

Mariah sat down with VJ Sway and talked about "The Emancipation of Mimi" album and her collaborations with Jermaine Dupri for a pre-Grammy interview on MTV Overdrive. Mariah also talked about the "Butterfly" album and described it as "ahead of its time;" her songs "Breakdown," "The Beautiful Ones" and "Babydoll" as some of her "favorite little gems" and "Underneath The Stars" as one of her best writings both lyrically and melodically.

To watch the interview,
1. Go to MTV Overdrive
2. Click on the News tab
3. Click on Browse Shows
4. Select All Up In The Grammys
5. Select Mariah RAW: GRAMMY Exclusive (fifth from the top)

Transcript
Sway: First and foremost, congratulations on your Grammy nominations, including album of the year.
Mariah: Thank you.

Sway: I know "The Emancipation of Mimi" - this has to be very gratifying for you.
Mariah: It's incredibly gratify and I think we've spoken a couple times throughout this project and it's just been one incredible blessing after another. So it's amazing.

Sway: You and Jermaine Dupri - this is like an award winning tandem, the two of you. Every time you guys come together, you always produce hits. At what point did you decide to work with Jermaine on this album?
Mariah: I always want to work with Jermaine. I've worked with Jermaine on every actual album that I've done, but this time around he was really busy with Usher in the beginning of the recording process of the word. It wasn't that I called and he was like, "Oh I'm busy with Usher." No, he was just out winning awards with Usher and I was just like, "Let me do other things" and whatever. Then I saw him in Mexico, played him some of what I had. He had certain favorites, one of which didn't even make it onto the album. We were planning on working together, and finally I was fifteen songs deep into the record and both L.A. Reid and Benny Medina were like, "Why haven't you and JD gotten together yet?" I was just like, "I don't know. Maybe he's busy". I called him and he's like, "Come down tomorrow." So I came down there, my usual two or three in the morning arrival. They were like, "Thanks," because typically they're going out to the club at that time. So we worked until six or seven in the morning and I think the first one we did - we did "It's Like That" and "Shake It Off".

Jermaine: I wasn't even part of her record at first. It was just something that L.A. was determined to do. He's like, "Yo, you just gotta go." He tells me one of his favorite records is one of the records that I did which was "Always Be My Baby" a long time ago. That's one of his favorites and he was like, "One of the biggest records you ever made was with Jermaine and he's not on this record." So he sent her to Atlanta and we got in the studio. The first record we made was "Shake It Off". I think that was the first record we made. Then the second record we made was "Get Your Number". That was the second record. Then she went back home and played those songs and L.A. was like, "Y'all seem like y'all got something."
Mariah: Nobody could tell me that "Shake It Off" wasn't going to be my first single and my favorite song. All my friends were like, "You've got to put that song out first," just from the demo. I was like, "I know. I love it. I don't know what to do." So then L.A. was like, "You guys should go back down there. Go back to Atlanta and do one more just to see what happens because you make magic together."
Jermaine: When I went in the studio that was my whole thing just like, "Mariah let's make records that remind me of the records that I used to hear before I even worked with you." I had to give her a piece of me and at the same time she gave me a piece of her and we collaborated together. It became something that's unbreakable at this point. We belong together.

Sway: Okay, let's talk about "It's Like That." I want to understand where you come up with some of these lyrics because they're some of the catchiest lyrics and when you listen to them you go, "Wait a minute. What made her think of 'them girls are ash and I'm lotion'"?
Mariah: It actually says, "them chickens is ash and I'm lotion." We were sitting around basically having jokes. I put so much time and effort into my lyrics usually and usually I'm alone on a beach just writing and scribbling things out and going over and over, but when I do get with people that I like to work with and collaborate lyrically with it's cool particularly when it's from the school of people that do rap music as well because obviously I'm a big hip-hop fan. Also it's a different perspective and a different take on things. So I was sitting there and we're just joking around and Johnta Austin who also worked on the song with us-- I think everybody else had passed out at that point-- and we were sitting there on the beanbag chairs because Jermaine has these beanbag chairs in the studio. We're like making up stupid stuff just to entertain ourselves at this point. Then Jermaine came back in the room and we're all sitting there going something about ash and lotion. I don't even know how it happened, but it was like, okay here's the rational. We're not calling somebody ashy. We're actually saying, "You are ash and we're lotion." So basically, you are the antithesis of us. Basically I'm talking to the guy like, "Them chickens is ash and I'm lotion. You need to get rid of them and I'm the antidote." It's just to make the girls going out to the club that night feel good. I look at it as a feel good lyric, like you're getting ready to go out, you're in the mirror. You don't know about this because you're not a girl. Guys just get dressed and go. Girls, we take time. We put on the music we want to listen to. We get the make-up together. We're in the mirror like, "Them chickens is ash and I'm lotion" getting ready to go out. I was like, "We need to inspire the girls." You know what? Never did I think after all these years of writing songs and being like, "No, I can't say that. No. No," that "Them chickens is ash and I'm lotion" is going to be the Grammy nominated song.

Sway: That's great though. However you can get it.
Mariah: You know what? It's fun though because it's like the real me having a good time and that's what's really cool about it.

Sway: The Calgon lyric. What is it?
Mariah: JD. It's, "just like the Calgon commercial." He was saying, "I gotta get away" and I was like, "I like that, but I think maybe we could come up with something a little more specific. So we went back and forth and came up with "I gotta shake it off" and so many people are telling me that's their favorite song because they can apply it to a girlfriend, a boyfriend, a life situation, a job, whatever. You've got to just shake everything off. So when was saying, "I gotta get away," I guess that probably inspired the Calgon "take me away" thought to come into his mind. Bow Wow was in the other room. I was like, "JD, people don't know Calgon 'take me away'. That's from like 1901. Don't nobody know that anymore." He was like, "Yes they do. We gon' bring it back and I was like, "Alright, we'll see." So I went in the other room and I'm like, "Bow Wow, do you know something called Calgon 'take me away'?" He was like, "I know it from Snoop" because Snoop used it in a song. So I was like, "Alright, Bow Wow knows it. Okay."

Sway: He knew what it was? Bow Wow knew what it was?
Mariah: He didn't know what it actually was. He just knew that Snoop used it.
Jermaine: "Shake It Off" was called something else. I can't remember what the song was when we first started making the record, but it wasn't "Shake It Off." It was something else and it had something to do with, "I gotta get away from this situation." Even though that's what "Shake It Off" means, "I gotta let it go. Get away from me." It was something closer to meaning "get away". The only thing I could think of with the "get away" type of thing at that point was Calgon "take me away". I thought it explained best "to get away", but I think when I said it I was showing my age too because the Calgon commercial ain't been on in the last ten years or something. So she was like, "Calgon? Nah!" She wasn't with the Calgon line. Then she was like, "It's too old. Don't nobody say Calgon no more." Maybe it was vintage, but I think it was a vintage line that became something where people were like, "What is Calgon?" Bow Wow didn't know what Calgon was. She asked him. He said he thought Snoop said something about it before, but I think he was thinking about Calvin. The younger generation, they ain't understand what Calgon was.

Sway: So finally, in your opinion, in comparison to your previous albums, what separates The Emancipation of Mimi from those and why do you feel like it resonated so well with radio and the audience and now the Grammy's?
Mariah: I feel like timing is really everything in a lot of ways. I do feel like I had to go through some struggles and learn some lessons and be publicly stepped on to be embraced in a lot of ways because that's just human nature. If I had to rate my own stuff, I definitely still love Butterfly as an album. I think not to be like, "Whoa! I'm so ahead of my time" but perhaps it was a little ahead of it's time because songs like "Breakdown" and songs even like, I did a duet with Dru Hill on that record of a remake "The Beautiful Ones," and "Babydoll is still one of my favorites. I was playing it the other day when I was getting ready and Tasha who was doing my hair said, "Oh is this something new? Are you putting this out?" I'm like, "No. This is from Butterfly, but they never released it." A lot of those songs that are my favorite little gems never got put out. Even on an album as big as Daydream, I was still under the control of a huge conglomerate that didn't want me to go to urban. So even after three huge hits, "Fantasy" which the pop people were only allowed to know it was a pop song. They didn't know the O.D.B. version. Now everybody knows that because--

Sway: That was the version!
Mariah: Right, but to the suits that wasn't the version. Then "One Sweet Day" and "Always Be My Baby"-- still they made me put out a real straightforward ballad and I wrote it. I know how to do that, but I wanted a song called "Underneath The Stars" which to me is some of my best writing lyrically, melodically, and in every way, and it was never released. So I think that this time around, the great thing is the songs that I love were allowed to be released. The people that I'm dealing with-- everybody at the label-- is so supportive of me being me and I think the fact that L.A. Reid came was really a godsend because he didn't try to put me in a box that I don't belong in. He didn't try to say, "Let's try to capitalize on what-- people think this or people think that." He was just like, "You make great records and I love what you do" and I was like, "Hi. I love what you do and you've inspired me to be the writer and artist that I am." It was such a blessing to have someone there who understands and gets it. So for the first time it was like, "Let's just do you."

Sway: All the ducks were lined up and here we are.
Mariah: Here we are and it's a blessing. Truthfully I believe that it's about faith. Above and beyond everything, it's about never losing sight of the fact that God put you through everything you go through for a reason and if you don't lose faith through all that, you make it through and all your blessings will be even more abundant than ever before.

Sway: Thank you very much.
Mariah: Thank you.

Sway: Alright. Good luck at the Grammy's. See you there.
Mariah: Thank you. Okay. Alright dahhhling.

Sway: Very well. Glad we did this.
Mariah: Yes I am. I'm sorry it was such a drama with the clothes.

"All Access Pass" takes us to a sneak peek into Mariah's post-Grammy party on The Tyra Banks Show Monday, February 20th. Be sure to catch Mariah's interview from the party!

Click here to watch a preview of Monday's show and to check your local listings for specific airing time!

Mariah recently sat down for a taped interview with Barbara Walters for the 25th Annual Oscar Edition of the "Barbara Walters Special," set to air March 1st at 10 p.m. on ABC.

Mariah talks to Barbara about her meteoric rise back to the top of the music charts with her multi-platinum and Grammy award winning album, "The Emancipation of Mimi." Others scheduled to appear on the special include George Clooney, Patrick Dempsey and Matthew McConaughey.

To the right is a scan of an ad for the Barbara Walters Special from the February 27th issue of People magazine. Click for a larger, full-scale view.

Below are scans of Mariah gracing the pages of the February 27th issues of In Touch, Celebrity Living, Star, Us, OK!, Life & Style and People magazines. Click each thumbnail for larger, full-scale view.

Mariah Carey may be the comeback queen when it comes to pop music. But she reveals that she's still spinning her wheels in the romance department because she doesn't trust men - especially celebrities!

"The thing is, I have trust issues," confesses the 35-year-old singer, whose album The Emancipation of Mimi earned her eight Grammy nominations and three statuettes. "If I'm with another famous person, he's likely to have groupies and cheat on me. This is why I can still count the number of men I've slept with on one hand. It's out of insecurity and a fear of being used."

The buxom diva was wed to music mogul Tommy Mottola, but she divorced him in 1998 "to save my sanity" after the bitter five-year marriage. She's also believed to have slept with Latin crooner Luis Miguel, rapper Eminem and Yankees baseball hunk Derek Jeter. Mariah has angrily denied Eminem's claims that he bedded her.

Despite her romantic failures, the sexy superstar has done well professionally, selling 150 million albums worldwide and piling up more No. 1 hits than any other female artist in history.

But while her career has soared, her love life has tanked. Most recently, she's been linked to dashing record exec Mark Sudack, 29, who helped her produce her comeback album. But Mariah dashes rumors that they are on the verge of walking down the aisle. "I feel an unconditional love with my