The Truth About Mariah Carey and the Chiropractics Convention
March 18, 2004

On January 18, 2004 – in a performance that would make headlines around the world – Mariah Carey took the stage at the Hilton Hotel in Las Vegas to perform for a record crowd of over 10,000 chiropractors at the Parker Seminars of Chiropractics Convention.

Laura Pasqualoni

With her hair perfectly styled, make-up done just right, and standard evening gown and stilettos in tow, Carey belted out the inspirational lyrics to her 1993 number-one hit song "Hero" for a group of handicapped athletes that were being honored at the ceremony.

Except...this wasn’t the real Mariah Carey. On stage was a professional Mariah Carey look-a-like whose performance was seemingly so real that it confused reporters and even the event’s directors. For Laura Pasqualoni, it was simply another day on the job.

To settle all of the rumors and disputes once and for all, MariahDaily.com talked with Laura Pasqualoni, the look-a-like in question, about what it’s like being confused for the real Mariah Carey on a regular basis, even sometimes when she’s trying not to.


Mariah Daily: When did people first start commenting that you resemble Mariah?
Laura Pasqualoni: I would say that it began in highschool back when Mariah hit the scene with her hit song "Vision of Love". That curly look is pretty close to how I Iooked back then and people started saying that I looked like Mariah. I definitely took that as a huge compliment.

MD: As the world's leading Mariah Carey look-a-like, you've traveled from New York to Tokyo and appeared on numerous talk shows and entertainment programs. What are some of your most memorable events?
Laura: I would have to say that The Ricki Lake Show tops the list, because when I did the show, not only was it my first show ever appearing as a celebrity look-a-like, but as the show sent me out dressed up as Mariah to see if they could fool the public at the Virgin Music Store in NYC and then tell them it was a look-a-like, I was shocked because there ended up being this huge mob of fans because they really thought I was Mariah. The police came to shut down the street! As they put me in the limo I said, "How did you guys get so many people to think I was Mariah for the show?" The show said, "We didn't. Those people really thought you were her." I still to this day cannot believe it. I give Mariah alot of credit for being able to deal with her huge mob of millions of fans everyday. It scared me for one day...but it was fun. The other event that tops my list is Tokyo. I turned them down I believe like seven or eight times before I finally went ahead. It was because I was so scared to fly as I have never flown out of the country nor been on a flight that long. Plus I was going to a land by myself to meet a bunch of strangers and trust them. That was pretty tough but let me tell you....Japananese fans of Mariah are great! They loved it and I had a blast. I would go again in a heartbeat!

MD: Have you ever turned down a potential gig?
Laura: Yes...most definitely. I have turned some pretty big paying gigs down. Some TV shows/spoofs/people want to play off of celebrity downfalls or moments, and when Mariah had her so-called downfall a while ago (for whatever personal reasons), the media was all over her and some shows wanted to pay me big bucks to basically play off her mishap. Of course I refused and will always refuse no matter what amount is ever offered. When I became a look-a-like and went professional I promised myself that I would never do anything to harm Mariah's image or my own or do anything in bad taste. If I were famous, I would not want someone who looked like me to do that. No amount of money, even if I desperately needed it, could make me tarnish anyone's image. I firmly believe that.

MD: Tell us about your performance at the Chiropractics Convention in Las Vegas.
Laura: I was asked to come out and lip-synch to Mariah's hit "Hero" for handicapped athletes. It was unbelievable and in front of about 10,000 people -- the biggest crowd I ever was in front of. I only saw the first few rows of heads as the rest was dark because of the bright lights. The next day I was asked to do a meet and greet at the Mandalay Bay House of Blues . I basically took pictures with people all evening and worked with a bunch of other look-a-likes. It was exciting! I'm not sure why they confused me for the real Mariah. I would never want anyone to think it was her without it really being her, even though I am a look-a-like and get booked strictly as a look-a-like.

MD: Mariah is known for her contributions to charities such as the Fresh Air Fund, The Make-A-Wish Foundation and the National Adoption Center. Can you tell us a little bit about various charity and fundraiser events you do?
Laura: The fundraiser I most take pride in doing is the Jerry Lewis MDA, which I try to participate in every year back in my hometown. I also have done fundraisers for Breast Cancer, AIDS, Homeless, Animal Shelters, Battered Women, and Child Help USA. I plan on sending out a bunch of info on what I do as a look-a-like to various fundraisers in my area as well as any fundraisers in the tri-state area looking to raise money for their causes. Just by having a picture taken with a Mariah look-a-like or any celeb look-a-like can raise thousands at a fundraising event. I am always up for doing fundraisers.

MD: Mariah's song catalog continues to grow each year as she releases new material. What are your personal favorites, as well as your favorite to perform?
Laura: My personal favorites, as well as the ones I like to perform, are of course "Hero", "Emotions," "I Still Believe," some club remixes of "My All" and my most favorite, "Mariah's Theme." It really reminds me so much of where I have been and where I am going, and not to let anyone tear it away from me and to be strong. It's a very meaningful song for me personally.

MD: When you're contracted to do a performance, what songs are you usually asked to include in your routine?
Laura: It all depends on the age of the client or event. If its a fundraiser and for special causes, of course I do "Hero" and other meaningful songs are included. If it's a club then alot of her newer remixes. But I would have to say that the ones mostly requested are "I Still Believe," "Hero," "Mariah's Theme," and "Dreamlover". I take pictures with the crowd afterwards.

MD: Mariah often has to spend hours making sure her hair and makeup are perfect and that everything is fitted just right. What is the process and how long does it usually take to prepare for an event?
Laura: It can take up to two or three hours depending on what style is chosen, and what hairstyle to go with. And of course lets not forget where you have to get ready. This is where it can get tricky, because if you are suppose to be kept hidden or as a surprise, the areas they may keep you in to get ready may have horrible lighting or hardly any at all. The easier events are the TV shows, as they do it all for you with the makeup artist ,stylist, etc. You get to be the star for a day!

MD: Even when you're not dressed up as Mariah, do you ever get approached by people thinking your the real Mariah Carey?
Laura: On occasion when I mostly hit NYC for shopping I get approached a lot. It gets weird because some really come up to you and insist that you may be the real deal denying it because you're in public, but on a daily basis I would have to say I have my own individual style and do not try to dress or look like Mariah as much as I do as a look-a-like on a gig, but I do get approached with compliments of people saying I look like her or would I please take my sunglasses off so they can see how much I resemble her, etc. Although I love Mariah's style, I have my own similar tastes.

MD: Are there any negative aspects about people confusing you with Mariah?
Laura: Sure, like for instance, I have received Mariah hater e-mail from time to time. They seem to automatically hate me too just because I look like her. I do not understand why people who hate are prejudging without ever meeting the person to see what they are really about. Another negative aspect is that some people seem to think that I can answer personal questions that they have about what goes on in Mariah's life and I really can't...only Mariah herself can. But all in all not too there aren't a lot of negative aspects.

MD: You're a receptionist by day and a Mariah look-a-like at night. What do all of your friends and family think about your "other job"?
Laura: My closest friends think its absolutely great! My family supports it as well. My father really loves it the most, as he works for the post office and always wants me to send a post card whenever I go somewhere to do a gig to him and all his buddies at work. Plus he also promotes my fundraising ideas to different organizations that come in to mail packages out. So it's good to have that. I try to keep it on the quiet side at work, as some may look at success with jealousy and others are totally excited for you. You have to be careful of how much you let some know.

MD: What would you say to Mariah herself if ever given the opportunity to meet her?
Laura: I probably would not say anything at all, as I would be passed out from shock on the floor! Seriously though, I would like to someday meet her and talk about the similarities we have, such as our families are both Long Island (pretty close too), and then chill out and have a drink and chat some more! I would love to thank her for giving her talent and her music to the world to hear, and to learn more about her and see if she has any questions for me. I would definitely want to know what she thinks about me being a look-a-like to her. Then I probably would have to leave at that point because Mariah would probably be off to Milan or China or off to some concert she is touring on. Who knows, if it ever will happen, I probably would forget everything I would want to say.

MD: What do you think the world should know about Mariah Carey?
Laura: I think the world should know that even though Mariah Carey is a famous celebrity, she is just like you and me with feelings, thoughts, and dreams and no one should stand in the way of what she has accomplished or where she is to go next , as I believe the world already knows Mariah is a strong individual inside and through her music.

MD: What do you think the world should know about Laura Pasqualoni?
Laura: I think the world should know that even though I am a look-a-like to one of the most celebrated stars out there, I am still just Laura and proud to be me. I have my own personal, look, style, and personality above and outside of my side job as a look-a-like. I enjoy doing what I do and only will continue to do what I do as long as it is fun and doesn't harm or hurt anyone.

For more information on Mariah Carey look-a-like Laura Pasqualoni, please visit her website, which is located at www.laurasmariah.com.