http://www.mariahdaily.com/cgi-bin/viewnews.cgi Wed, 19 Nov 2008 22:04:42 EST The latest news from Mariah Daily Journal. en-us Copyright Mariah Daily Journal Coranto using the Feed Builder Addon http://www.mariahdaily.com/rss.gifhttp://www.mariahdaily.com/news/feed.xml120200 Wed, 19 Nov 2008 15:14:00 EST http://www.mariahdaily.com/news.shtml#newsitemEkkZEFyFZZsRJuDxmU http://www.mariahdaily.com/news.shtml#newsitemEkkZEFyFZZsRJuDxmU Top 100 Songs.

• Celine Dion's 1998 album These Are Special Times this week becomes the first holiday album by a female artist to top the 5 million mark in Nielsen/SoundScan history. It has sold 5,006,000 copies. It just barely beat out Mariah Carey's 1994 release Merry Christmas, which has sold 4,918,000 copies. But both of these ladies were beaten to the punch by Barbra Streisand, whose A Christmas Album has been certified for sales of 5,000,000 by the RIAA. The album was released in 1967, nearly 24 years before Nielsen/SoundScan set up shop. [Paul Grein's Chart Watch]

• New York's Hot 97's Angie Martinez has yet to premiere her new TV show, "The Angie Martinez Show," (airs Monday, Nov. 24 at 11:30 p.m. EST on BET), but she's already talking about her plans for the next show. "We're talking about doing a Christmas special. I'm definitely eyeing Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon. That's who I'm really trying to shoot for, for the next one." [SOHH] See Angie's last interview with Mariah here.

• Macy's Exclusive Mariah Carey Coffret - celebrate the season with this precious collection. This holiday exclusive from Mariah Carey Parfum and a 0.16 fl oz of the glowing new fragrance, Mariah Carey's Luscious Pink Parfum. A $168.00 value, Yours for just $35.00. Get it at Macy's, in-store and online.

• AskMen.com is conducting a poll for Top 99 Women of 2009. Cast your votes here. In the "Favorite Singers" category, find Mariah's picture (she's in yellow dress), and give it a 10 rating.

• To the right, watch a previously unreleased official Coca Cola commercial from Europe featuring Mariah's original song "Hero" as sung by singer Nisha Kataria.

• Angie Stone, who has been a major part of R&B and Hip Hop for the past 30 years, reveals all about the early days of pal Beyonce's secret romance with husband Jay-Z, magical moments with Mary J. Blige and Mariah Carey, among others, in her new book, "Life In The Shadows of A Sex Symbol." [ContactMusic]

International Newsbits
• Brazil. At Vagalume, the largest Brazilian Lyrics site, Mariah is currently at #5 on Top 100 Most Accessed Artists and #1 on Top 100 Most Viewed Lyrics with "I Stay In Love" (509,160 views to date). Keep voting for Mariah!

• Canada. The Adventures of Mimi concert, recorded in Anaheim on Oct. 8, 2006, will air on Much More Music's MMMOnStage on Wed., Nov. 20 at 8:00pm with repeats on Thurs., Nov. 21 at 12:00am and 3:00pm.

• South Africa. iAfrica is giving away six 30ml bottles of "Luscious Pink," valued at R295 each. Fans can click here to enter the contest.

• Turkey. MariahTurkiye, in cooperation with Sony Music Turkey, has twenty The Ballads CDs to give away to lucky Turkish fans! Head over to the site to find out how you can enter.

• United Kingdom. Mariah's foot was quite famous on Saturday night - it was the star of the show on Harry Hill's TV Burp! Watch a video here, it starts around the 2:40 mark.

Fans' Corner
• Male fans at MC Family, the biggest Mariah fan organization in Korea, sing along to "Just Stand Up" as a tribute to Mariah in this YouTube video.

Other YouTube videos from fans: Ramsey sends us this cute video of a little girl singing to Mariah's "Bye Bye," and Celebrity Oasis' own remix of "I'll Be Lovin' U Long Time."

• Below are Christmas wallpapers from Arief & Luke; and drawings from Tavian & Boudir. Thanks for sharing, guys!


]]> Tue, 18 Nov 2008 10:53:00 EST http://www.mariahdaily.com/news.shtml#newsitemEkkZpFuulykFALYQof http://www.mariahdaily.com/news.shtml#newsitemEkkZpFuulykFALYQof
Mariah received a nomination in the "LOL! Video of the Year" award category.

LOL! Video of the Year Mariah Carey "Touch My Body" Snoop Dogg "Sensual Seduction" Yung Joc "Coffee Shop"

The awards show will be available in four parts on Music Choice On Demand from December 1st through the end of the month.]]> Tue, 18 Nov 2008 09:25:00 EST http://www.mariahdaily.com/news.shtml#newsitemEkkZpElFFAHawmsYhI http://www.mariahdaily.com/news.shtml#newsitemEkkZpElFFAHawmsYhI
The singer says: "I don't see what the big deal is. Should I be with an old fuddy-duddy who would be boring and bleak? I have fun. It doesn't really matter to me. I've already dealt with someone who was older than me. I don't want to go back there. It's not about the age, it's just about finding the right person for you."]]> Mon, 17 Nov 2008 19:07:18 EST http://www.mariahdaily.com/news.shtml#newsitemEkkyAyylFlUpvfltUu http://www.mariahdaily.com/news.shtml#newsitemEkkyAyylFlUpvfltUu
"It was Krystal's multidimensional core that drew me in," says Carey about her connection to Russell Shaumburg's script. "I felt like my own experiences would allow me to bring a character to the project that's hard-edged, raw and vulnerable."

Though Carey's song "I'll Be Lovin' U Long Time" from her latest album "E=MC2" appeared over the end credits of Adam Sandler's "You Don't Mess With the Zohan" (a film in which she also makes a cameo), it's unusual for the performer to contribute something specific to a film. Deconstructing her songwriting process, Carey explains: "It was a different experience from an album project. I was very close to the story and in particular my character's struggle, so it made it easier for me as a writer. I just began channeling Krystal's pain and hope."

Between takes and guitar lessons on the set, Carey's humming and diary entries evolved into the Spanish-guitar-accented ballad that she sings during the film's competition scene. In the recorded version of the single, Carey leaned on Willie Nelson to play guitar.

"The song is basically a three-act play and chronicles the evolution of Krystal," says Carey.

"Dream" is reminiscent of Carey's '90s ballads that often evoked themes of soul-searching, lost love and inner strength.]]> Mon, 17 Nov 2008 12:18:37 EST http://www.mariahdaily.com/news.shtml#newsitemEkkyAukFEZEMVJIcFr http://www.mariahdaily.com/news.shtml#newsitemEkkyAukFEZEMVJIcFr "The Grammy Nominations Concert Live!! - Countdown To Music's Biggest Night" will announce nominations in several categories, feature performances by past Grammy winners and nominees, and will set the stage for the 51st Annual Grammy Awards on February 8, 2009.

For the first time ever, nominations for the annual Grammy Awards will be announced live on primetime television in a special concert dubbed "The Grammy Nominations Concert Live! - Countdown To Music's Biggest Night." This special event will begin the countdown to the 51st Grammy Awards and includes live performances by past Grammy winners, as well as a celebration of the grand opening of the Grammy Museum. Some performers include Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Foo Fighters, B.B. King, John Mayer, and Taylor Swift.

The one-hour concert, hosted by Grammy winner LL Cool J and Grammy nominee Taylor Swift will be staged at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, and broadcast live on Wednesday, December 3rd, from 9 - 10 pm ET/PT on CBS.

Tickets to the live event are available for purchase at www.ticketmaster.com. Proceeds will benefit the Grammy Museum.]]> Mon, 17 Nov 2008 07:43:00 EST http://www.mariahdaily.com/news.shtml#newsitemEkkyAplVuEmlcPcQGW http://www.mariahdaily.com/news.shtml#newsitemEkkyAplVuEmlcPcQGW
"Right To Dream" is scheduled
for digital release on Nov. 25.
"Right To Dream," the original ballad written by Mariah and country legend Willie Nelson for the film Tennessee, continues to be one of the most added songs on the Adult Contemporary format despite being played in small markets.

As we previously mentioned, "Right To Dream" is being pushed for an Academy consideration in the "Best Song" category. Let's please call our radio stations and request every single day so more people will get the chance to hear this beautiful song. If it becomes popular, maybe the Academy voters will like it more.

Please find your local AC station below and start requesting now!

KOST-FM 103.5, Los Angeles, CA - 800-929-5678 | Online KGBY-FM My 92.5, Sacramento, CA - 916-646-9925 Online WMXC-FM LiteMix 99.9, Mobile, AL - 800-527-8643 | Online KESZ-FM 99.9 KEZ, Phoenix, AZ - 602-260-0999 | Online KOSI-FM 101, Denver, CO - 303-631-2101 | Online WASH-FM 97.1, Washington, DC - 866-927-4361 | Online WJBR-FM 99.5, Wilmington, DE - 800-275-9521 | Online WMGF-FM Magic 107.7, Orlando, FL - 888-633-5452 | Online WBBQ-FM 104.3, Augusta, GA - Online WILV-FM Love 100.3, Chicago, IL - 312-591-5683 | Online WLIT-FM 93.9, Chicago, IL - 312-540-2000 | Online KRBB-FM B98, Wichita, KS - 316-436-1098 | Online KQIS-FM 102.1, Lafayette, LA - 504-406-1021 | Online WLMG-FM Magic 101.9, New Orleans, LA - 504-260-1019 | Online KVKI-FM 96.5, Shreveport, LA - 318-320-9696 | Online WMJX-FM Magic 106.7, Boston, MA - 617-822-9600 | Online WMAS-FM 94.7, Springfield, MA - 800-937-9627 or 413-731-9500 WMGC-FM Magic 105.1, Detroit, MI - 313-298-1051 | Online WOOD-FM Star 105.7, Grand Rapids, MI - 616-458-1057 |Online KEZK-FM 102.5, St. Louis, MO - 314-969-1025 | Online KCKC-FM Star 102.1, Kansas City, MO - 816-576-7102 | Online WRAL-FM Mix 101.5, Raleigh, NC - 919-860-1015 | Online WZID-FM 95.7, Manchester, NH - 800-666-0957 | Online KMGA-FM 99.5 Magic, Albuquerque, NM - 805-851-5995 | Online KSNE-FM Sunny 106.5, Las Vegas, NV - 702-796-1065 | Online WYJB-FM B95.5, Albany, NY - 518-476-9595 | Online WALK-FM Walk 97.5, Long Island, NY - 631-955-9750 | Online WLTW-FM 106.7 Lite FM, New York, NY - 800-222-1067 | Online WRRM-FM Warm 98, Cincinnati, OH - 513-749-1098 | Online WDOK-FM SoftRock 102.1, Cleveland, OH - 216.578.1021 | Online KMGL-FM Magic 104.1, Oklahoma City, OK - 405-478-5104 | Online KKCW-FM K103, Portland, OR - 503-796-1033 | Online WLTJ-FM Q 92.9, Pittsburgh, PA - 412-697-0965 | Online WWLI-FM LiteRock 105, Providence, RI - 401-433-4200 | Online WSPA-FM Magic 98.9, Greenville, SC - 800-905-0989 | Online WTFM-FM 98.5 SoftRock, Kingsport, TN - 423-245-9898 | Online WJXB-FM B97.5, Knoxville, TN - 865-656-2975 | Online WRVR-FM The River 104.5, Memphis, TN - 901-535-9787 | Online KVIL-FM 103.7, Dallas, TX - 214-787-1037 | Online KODA-FM Sunny 99.1, Houston, TX - 713-212-5991 | Online KQXT-FM Q101.9, San Antonio, TX - 210-732-1019 | Online KBEE-FM B98.7, Salt Lake City, UT - 801-470-9870 | Online WTVR-FM Lite 98, Richmond, VA - 804-474-0000 | Online WSLQ-FM Q99, Roanoke, VA - 800-410-9936 | Online KRWM-FM Warm 106.9, Seattle, WA - 800-622-1069 | Online KISC-FM KISS 98.1, Spokane, WA - 509-241-9898 WMGN-FM Magic 98, Madison, WI - 608-321-0098 | Online

]]> Mon, 17 Nov 2008 05:47:41 EST http://www.mariahdaily.com/news.shtml#newsitemEkkyAEllyEhPlbtJvK http://www.mariahdaily.com/news.shtml#newsitemEkkyAEllyEhPlbtJvK

]]> Mon, 17 Nov 2008 00:04:06 EST http://www.mariahdaily.com/news.shtml#newsitemEkkylAlkuyagGXzPpo http://www.mariahdaily.com/news.shtml#newsitemEkkylAlkuyagGXzPpo Aaron Woodley's "Tennessee," starring Mariah Carey; helmer Austin Chick's "August," starring Josh Hartnett, Adam Scott and Robin Tunney; and Spike Lee's "Miracle at St. Anna."

Opener "Rain," an indie pic from Bahamian filmmaker Maria Govan, was developed through the fest's Filmmaker Residency Program in 2005. Sean Connery will hand Laurence Fishburne the career achievement nod, and thesp Anna Faris will be feted with the rising star tribute.

The festival runs Dec. 4-11.

Note: Tennessee is also scheduled for a special one-week screening from Dec. 5-11 in Los Angeles, California at the Laemmle's Music Hall 3, as we previously reported.]]> Mon, 17 Nov 2008 00:01:00 EST http://www.mariahdaily.com/news.shtml#newsitemEkkyAppAFZgtPAnZtB http://www.mariahdaily.com/news.shtml#newsitemEkkyAppAFZgtPAnZtB Total Request Live bid its final "Bye Bye" to the airwaves with a star-studded extravaganza dubbed Total Finale Live. Mariah who was advertised and expected to be a part of the show did not show up for reasons unknown. Some fans speculate that Mariah may be under the weather as she sounded hoarse and sick at last Friday's Miami event.]]> Sun, 16 Nov 2008 23:39:28 EST http://www.mariahdaily.com/news.shtml#newsitemEkkylAyZylyubIjRhQ http://www.mariahdaily.com/news.shtml#newsitemEkkylAyZylyubIjRhQ Sun, 16 Nov 2008 16:16:04 EST http://www.mariahdaily.com/news.shtml#newsitemEkkylZpEyuptpNjmvQ http://www.mariahdaily.com/news.shtml#newsitemEkkylZpEyuptpNjmvQ X Factor charity single "Hero" - released to raise money for servicemen and women injured in the line of duty - has made it three weeks running at number one. The track, recorded in support of the Help For Heroes and the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal, is the fastest selling charity record of the decade and the fastest selling single of 2008.

Other Mariah songs on the official UK singles charts this week: "All I Want For Christmas Is You" is up 41 spots to #59, and the original "Hero" up 33 to #67.

In the album charts, Simon Cowell's pop opera foursome Il Divo knocked Girls Aloud off the top spot. Welsh rockers The Stereophonics are straight in at number two, beating Cheryl Cole and Co into third, while, following her appearance on last week's X Factor, Mariah Carey's The Ballads rose from #28 to #13 (+15).]]> Sun, 16 Nov 2008 07:41:00 EST http://www.mariahdaily.com/news.shtml#newsitemEkkyZFpuylbzkDouiU http://www.mariahdaily.com/news.shtml#newsitemEkkyZFpuylbzkDouiU Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly, In Touch, People, OK!, Us, and Life & Style magazines; and from UK's Daily Mail.


]]> Sun, 16 Nov 2008 07:35:57 EST http://www.mariahdaily.com/news.shtml#newsitemEkkylFlAVZjgTptDiD http://www.mariahdaily.com/news.shtml#newsitemEkkylFlAVZjgTptDiD
[ Download this video ]To the right, watch a YouTubeLive video from the Fontainbleau's Grand Opening in Miami Beach, Florida on Friday, Nov. 14, 2008. It shows a brief interview with Mariah and a clip of her performing "It's Like That."

"I love being in Miami anyway so it's great to be here for the Fontainebleau's opening. And especially since, I mean, Frank Sinatra performed here, Elvis performed here, it's just the legendary greats and I just feel really, you know it was an honor to be able to be here tonight and to perform. I had a great time."]]> Sat, 15 Nov 2008 17:42:17 EST http://www.mariahdaily.com/news.shtml#newsitemEkkyZllAFZOYeZcYyV http://www.mariahdaily.com/news.shtml#newsitemEkkyZllAFZOYeZcYyV
Miami Herald writer Lesley tells us that Mariah performed a total concert with dancers, full back up and band; and a setlist that included her hit songs like "It's Like That," "Heartbreaker," "Always Be My Baby," "Touch My Body," "Shake It Off," "Hero," "Dreamlover," and "I'll Be There" with Trey Lorenz.]]> Sat, 15 Nov 2008 13:50:40 EST http://www.mariahdaily.com/news.shtml#newsitemEkkyZZVpupeqdxZCxq http://www.mariahdaily.com/news.shtml#newsitemEkkyZZVpupeqdxZCxq
Last night's Fontainebleau opening was a cocktail soaked, Manolo-heeled fun house of sorts, where thousands milled around the laybrinthe-like mega resort marveling at its restoration, renovation and, mostly, at the random mix--a celebrity Chex Mix of sorts--of A, B, C and Z listers who were around every corner.

Crooner Robin Thicke hit the stage and wooed the crowd with a rousing rendition of the Al Green classic Let's Stay Together. Taking the song literally, everyone crammed the stage to catch the headliner, Mariah Carey, who also put on an incredible performance which had some local publicists speechless for a change. Mariah was on fire, and so were some very funny-smelling cigarettes wafting through the ballroom.

In the Carey crowd, a VIP section of more scene stealers, including Paris Hilton and her real BFF Vegas showman Jeff Beacher, FB owner Jeff Soffer's BFF Brett Ratner, whose Prison Break star, Sucre, aka Amaury Nolasco, was among the most gregarious in the house. Also there, randomly, Kate Hudson with a mega entourage that could have smacked down Diddy's.]]> Fri, 14 Nov 2008 15:46:09 EST http://www.mariahdaily.com/news.shtml#newsitemEkkyyAVVyAqhKxDWCz http://www.mariahdaily.com/news.shtml#newsitemEkkyyAVVyAqhKxDWCz

"I Stay In Love" Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs: #82 (Last Week #97) E=MC² Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Albums: #51 (Last Week #53) The Ballads Billboard European Top 100 Albums: #80 (Last Week #54) Merry Christmas Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Catalog Albums: #15 Billboard Top Holiday Albums: #42

"I Stay In Love" Update
• "I Stay In Love" was at #7 (peak: #6) on BET's Top 10 Videos yesterday, its 6th appearance on the countdown since its debut on Oct. 29.

• According to Mediabase, as of week ending Nov. 13, 2008, "I Stay In Love" has registered 4.333 million audience impressions with 1196 spins (Rhythmic - 555, Urban - 403, Pop - 198, Urban A/C - 16, Hot A/C - 16, Alternative - 2, BET - 6).

Keep supporting Mariah! Please use our banner on top or click on this link to vote, stream, request and download "I Stay In Love."]]> Fri, 14 Nov 2008 11:55:44 EST http://www.mariahdaily.com/news.shtml#newsitemEkkyylEZuuxKvVFfdN http://www.mariahdaily.com/news.shtml#newsitemEkkyylEZuuxKvVFfdN You'd think Mariah Carey wouldn't have needed to go shopping on her whistle-stop trip to London. After all, she arrived with five suitcases for the three day affair.

But it looks like she couldn't resist stopping by at Harvey Nichols with her stylist and former Arena Fashion Editor Andrew Davis to kit her out for her X Factor appearance. They picked up the Amanda Wakeley floor length black beaded dress (£1749) she wore on stage, plus a D&G black corset pencil dress (£280), DSquared2 black jersey dress (£355), McQ satin bustier dress (£295), a CK pink robe (£49) and six Calvin Klein bras (£48 each).

Mariah Carey in Amanda Wakeley? Beyonce in Gareth Pugh? The Americans seem to love adopting Brit fashion when they're over on our shores.]]> Fri, 14 Nov 2008 01:56:20 EST http://www.mariahdaily.com/news.shtml#newsitemEkkyyuVZlpqjndsvts http://www.mariahdaily.com/news.shtml#newsitemEkkyyuVZlpqjndsvts This Morning aired Part I of host Ruth Langsford's exclusive interview with Mariah when she was in London last week. Below are excerpts from the interview.

Addressing the Daily Mirror article, "Xcess Baggage": "Those are not even my bags. I think they just took a picture of bags that were with us. No, I can tell from just looking here. Nope, not mine! I do take a lot of stuff with me and fortunately, you have people to help me with the packing because I'm not good at packing. I'm good at selecting but not packing."

On The X Factor's "Hero": "It just makes me really proud to be able to see yet again do something that's helping others and to see that the kids were inspired to do their own rendition of the song and I think they really did a good job."

Her favorite song out of all her songs: "There's a song called 'Close My Eyes' that is really kind of like my life story up to a point and I wrote it over a four-year time period and it's something that I definitely relate to and a lot of people who had difficult childhoods tell me that they relate to it. I would have to choose that one. It's tough to choose them 'cause as a writer, they're your babies."

On writing songs: "Sometimes I'll wake up in the middle of the night and have an idea. I have to go record it really quickly before I forget it. Sometimes someone will have an idea and say, 'Well, there's this movie called Hero about this guy who...' it was this Dustin Hoffman movie, and I took a walk to the loo and I came back and I had the outline for the song and so that's one of those blessings that it comes to you where it kind of all comes together really quickly."

On Barack Obama: "Yay! I mean I'm ecstatic. When my parents first got married, I'm the youngest of three so when my parents were first married as an interracial couple or biracial couple, it was illegal for them to be together in a lot of States so I just feel like we've come so far as a nation. I always said it was gonna happen but I don't know if I really believed that it would happen. And the great thing is, he's such an amazing, he's the right person for the job. I think that everyone's gonna change the way they feel about America with Barack Obama in office."


Part I - Mariah's Interview with This Morning, ITV, Nov. 13, 2008
[ Download here ]

And here's Part II of the This Morning interview with Mariah which aired earlier today. Below are excerpts.

So what are you like at Christmas? Are you Mrs. Christmas dressing up, decorating the house? "I love the whole thing. I am Miss Festive of the World. I really am. We go to Aspen because I need to be around the snow. I get depressed when I'm not with like the white Christmas snowy whole thing."

What does anybody buy Mariah Carey for Christmas? "People say it's tough to get me gifts. They always preface the gift-giving with 'You're the hardest person in the world to get a gift for' and I'm like, 'No, I'm not.' When I was little my mom didn't have enough money she would wrap up even like an orange or something and say that it was from the cat and I would smile just to be able to open stuff. I just love opening presents."

How do you get on with Nick as working partners? "We had a great experience. This latest video is called, 'I Stay In Love,' we shot the video in Vegas which was fun to begin with and it was the only video in the history of me making videos that I was...I ended on time, actually early, both days in a row. There was no drama and everybody was like, 'What is this new thing?' No more stories about divaness, divaland, divalicious. I enjoyed working with him, I know it's the first time so who knows."


Part II - Mariah's Interview with This Morning, ITV, Nov. 14, 2008
[ Download here ]]]> Thu, 13 Nov 2008 14:11:00 EST http://www.mariahdaily.com/news.shtml#newsitemEkkyyEuVEpiLrjvgKS http://www.mariahdaily.com/news.shtml#newsitemEkkyyEuVEpiLrjvgKS Here's what Mariah Carey's winter wonderland looks like: A tree decorated with gold and silver butterflies. A manger in the front room. Christmas music blasting from every speaker. A new husband Nick Cannon to snuggle up next to in the horse-drawn sleigh. by Julia Dahl

Mariah Carey has a lot to celebrate this year. Her 11th studio album, E=MC², was a massive success; she released a new fragrance, Luscious Pink; and Time magazine named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world. But for Mariah, 38, the year's biggest thrill is much more personal: In April, after a whirlwind romance, the star married 27-year-old Nick Cannon in a small ceremony in the Bahamas.

Six months later, Mariah is still glowing.

"I'm really looking forward to being in love on Christmas," gushes the singer, whose assistant calls her "The Queen of Christmas." We're sitting in the back corner of a Brazilian restaurant near Mariah's New York City apartment. "It's easy to be lonely that time of year, and in the past I just drove into that festive mode with a sort of I-don't-care attitude. The holidays are always great, but being in love is going to be the icing on the cake."

Mariah is clearly ready to jump headlong into the season. Step one? Figuring out the personalized Christmas card. She dips her French-manicured nails into her purse to produce last year's effort.

"It's my fantasy version of myself," she says, pushing it across the table, and indeed, the card features a cartoon Mariah in a come-hither pose, dressed in a skimpy Santa dress and knee-high boots. She's accompanied by her two dogs, Jack and Jack Jr., and they're all soaring through the air with Santa on his sleigh. It's actually pretty charming.

"But look, this is the best part." She opens the card and a tinny version of her hit Christmas song, "All I Want For Christmas Is You," fills the air. Mariah beams, but her elation reveals something more than just artistic pride. These days, the songbird who seems to have everything (a hot new hubby, more number one songs than Elvis, and a rumored baby on the way--or at least on her wish list) says she is spending more time appreciating life's simple pleasures. "So much of the season is about being thankful," she tells me. And in this spirit, Mariah settles in and shares her plans for her favorite holiday.

What's the theme for this year's card?
I have to figure that out soon! I started sending cards out about 10 years ago. But "Happy Holidays! Love, Mariah" became pretty played out, so a couple of years ago I started having fun with it, playing around with images and music. I like the cartoon thing, and I think it'll definitely be musical again--I've had a bunch of people tell me their kids play with the card all year long, so I guess it was a hit.

Will Nick be on the card this time?
If he wants to be. I haven't asked him yet. He might be doing his own thing--he's very independent, which is one of the things I love about him. But it'd be fun to do one together.

Have you and Nick talked about how you'll celebrate Christmas this year? What do you usually do?
I'm usually working right up until Christmas, but no matter what's going on, no matter where I am, whether it's right after a tour or a video shoot somewhere, on December 21, I head to my house in Aspen and start celebrating! I have an extended group of friends and family from all over--as far as Sweden and the United Kingdom, even--and every year we gather in Aspen to make it the most festive Christmas ever. We try to outdo ourselves every year.

This year, in addition to everything I love about celebrating the holidays, it's all going to be heightened because of Nick--in a really good way. I think he senses that Christmas is a big deal to me, so he's sort of just going with the flow, so that's cool. I'm pretty sure his family and friends will be out there too. We have to figure it out, but we're gonna make it work!

How does the week begin?
The first thing that happens is I get off the place and get into the car, they have Christmas music blasting and a bottle of champagne ready to pop open! It sounds awful, but I'm a big kid in that way. As soon as I get in that car, I am engulfed in Christmas. I think Nick will be up for that, I really do. He'll be laughing.

Aspen must be the perfect place for a white Christmas.
It is. Aspen is all about the snow and the environment, so it automatically puts you in that celebratory mood. I don't really do up my New York apartment for Christmas; I save everything for Aspen. The house there is all done up with lights and bells--not over the top, but quaint. It's like a gingerbread house. And then you open the door and the first thing you see is this enormous tree and a manger.

I started going to Aspen the year after my album Butterfly came out, and that year I collected a ton of butterfly ornaments. So every year, before we get up there, I have a woman who comes to the house and sets up what we call the butterfly tree. It's gorgeous, all silver and gold with angels and butterflies on it and gold, silver, and white ornaments. And we have a manger set up in the front room because, to me, the season is about celebrating, about being with friends and loved ones, but first and foremost it's about the birth of Christ, and I think it's important to remember that.

How does that religious aspect of the holiday fit into your celebration?
One year I did a concert for Camp Mariah, which is a camp I started that benefits underprivileged children. And every year I work with the foster kids of Denver. We do a holiday event for them, and the last couple of years--I worry about saying this in case any of them read it--Santa has come and he looks much like Santa, a real beard and everything! And all the kids get gifts and get to take pictures with him.

You grew up on Long Island in New York and lived with your mom after your parents divorced. What was Christmas like when you were little?
My mother, now she was festive. She always wanted Christmas to be exciting. We didn't always have enough money for a lot of presents, but she'd wrap up whatever she could--even an orange--and say it was from the cat or something, just so I could have things to open. I think that when kids are little, it's really all about opening things; it doesn't matter so much what they are. And my mother always made things very fun.

Your mother was a singer also. Was music a big part of celebrating?
Yes. She usually had a Christmas party where she'd make mulled wine and invite all her friends, and we'd decorate the tree and everyone would sing carols. So music is very important to me around the holidays. By the end of the week in Aspen everybody is ready to kill me, because from the minute we get there to the minute we leave, I have the Christmas music on. Usually it's satellite radio, but we throw our favorites in there, like the James Brown Christmas album and the Jackson 5 Christmas album. Oh, and I love the Chipmunks' Christmas album! It's such a throwback to childhood--just laughing and having a good time.

Are there places of your childhood you try to incorporate into the celebration?
Every year we do what we call "Charlie Brown Christmas tree," where we string up those big red and green bulbs and hang tons of ornaments--mostly ornaments my fans have sent me over the years. They did pictures of, like, me and the dog, just really cute stuff. A couple of years ago, one of my friends gave us the idea of taking Polaroids of each other and then decorating them and putting those on the tree. That was really fun; I think we might do it again this year. It's a wonderful time for us all to bond and really get into the spirit.

Last year I was very inspired by the movie Elf--how much do you love that movie?--so we set up one of the upstairs bedrooms like the North Pole, all covered in fake snow, with tents and an area where the kids could play with toys like Etch A Sketches. My friend's two children were 3 and 1 at the time, and they were in heaven!

It sounds like you really love the "traditional" Christmas stuff.
I do, but we try to make it our own. The focal point of the week is the 23rd, when we do a real sleigh ride! Depending on how many of us are up there, we get one or two horse-drawn sleighs, and we bundle up and go riding in the snow under the stars. We always drink cocoa with butterscotch schnapps to keep warm, and we sing at the top of our lungs, not even remotely trying to sound good. Later, we go in the hot tub in our Christmas bikinis, then roll in the fresh snow and jump back in the tub.

Christmas bikinis?
Of course! I like the Santa ones, but they don't stay on very well, so I usually just do a red bikini with a Santa hat.

Speaking of bikinis, what about lingerie? This year you'll be a newlywed at Christmas; are you thinking about some naughty Santa outfits?
Honestly, I always get Santa lingerie--even if nobody's going to see it! I mean, why not? But this year I'm definitely excited because it'll be appreciated!

You mentioned cocoa for the sleigh rides. Do you have any other holiday food traditions?
Every Christmas Eve I make linguine and white clam sauce for everybody. They always ask, "Are you gonna make your clam sauce?" I'd be worried if Nick hadn't tried it yet, but he did and ate the whole plate! I also make stuffed shells. It's kind of random because I'm not Italian, but the recipes were my father's, and he gave them to me before he passed away, so it's become a tradition. And we always have A Charlie Brown Christmas on TV [while we eat]. Before the kids go to bed, we leave out cookies and a note for Santa.

The rest of us stay up late that night, and I usually end up wrapping presents until the sun comes up! My problem is, I do too much shopping out there because I never get a chance before that, so I'm sitting up all night wrapping. Then I sleep in Christmas day, which kind of ruins Christmas morning for everybody.

Do they all have to wait until you get up to open presents?
Well, they don't have to! Definitely I always tell everyone to let the kids open presents before I get up. We do stockings; we all have stockings with our names on them, even the dogs.

Since you do a big Christmas Eve dinner, is Christmas night more relaxed?
Actually, that's the night we dress up for dinner. Last year, my pastor came and did a service for us and ate dinner with us. And when I say dress up, I mean I'm in a gown. I've got lots of vintage pieces and I wear either red or white, and jewelry. Usually, a couple of days before, while everyone else is skiing, I just sit around playing dress-up. I don't know what that's about--I mean, who does that?! But skiing means being cold and getting up really early, two things I'm not very good at.

Have you decided yet what presents you want to get for Nick?
I've had a few ideas, but I wouldn't want this to come out before Christmas and give all my ideas away!

How about you? What do you want?
Honestly, I haven't really thought about it. I just want to have a really good time--a restful, enjoyable time. I want to be ecstatic and have the best Christmas ever. And I know that's a really huge request right now. There's so much going on in the world that's pretty dismal, but I've always had that glass-half-full outlook. That's how I am. And I really think it'll be a memorable Christmas.


]]> Thu, 13 Nov 2008 14:08:00 EST http://www.mariahdaily.com/news.shtml#newsitemEkkyyEupEpnJuSmrpM http://www.mariahdaily.com/news.shtml#newsitemEkkyyEupEpnJuSmrpM
In an interview with This Morning, Mariah said: "It's the only video in the history of me making videos that I ended on time, actually early both days, and there was no drama, and everybody was saying what is this new thing?! So I guess this was definitely him. No more stories about divaness, divaland, divalicious. I enjoyed working with him, but I know it's the first time so who knows."

Mariah also divulged details of how the couple got together, revealing the spark between them was instantaneous. She gushed: "We met each other in 2005 on a couple of award shows and we had that thing - you look at them and talk to them, and you are like what was that, that was interesting, but I liked it!"

And the star also said the pitter patter of tiny feet could soon be echoing around the couple's vast LA abode. When asked if babies are on the cards, Mariah coyly replied: "Maybe sometime soon. We will see."

Catch the interview in full on This Morning tomorrow at 10.35am on ITV1. ]]> Wed, 12 Nov 2008 10:31:00 EST http://www.mariahdaily.com/news.shtml#newsitemEkkyyEuEAyYmrSRMiq http://www.mariahdaily.com/news.shtml#newsitemEkkyyEuEAyYmrSRMiq Rolling Stone names the 100 Greatest Singers of All Time. Mariah is ranked at no. 79.

79 | Mariah Carey

Born:
March 27th, 1970
Key Tracks:
"One Sweet Day," "Vision of Love," "Fantasy"
Influenced:
Brandy, Christina Aguilera, Leona Lewis

"When I was little," Mariah Carey says, "I used to wake up with a really raspy voice and"--she shifts to her signature squeak--"talk in a really high voice. My mother couldn't understand it, and she's an opera singer. But then I started to try to sing using that voice." Carey is famous for her staggering vocal range -- including those ravishing high notes -- and power. Her mastery of melisma, the fluttering strings of notes that decorate songs like "Vision of Love," inspired the entire American Idol vocal school, for better or worse, and virtually every other female R&B singer since the Nineties. But technical skill alone doesn't make for hits, and Carey's radiant, sweetly sexy presence has been knocking them out of the park for two decades. She's scored more Number One singles than any solo artist -- 18 and counting.

For the complete Top 100 list, click here. ]]> Wed, 12 Nov 2008 09:31:00 EST http://www.mariahdaily.com/news.shtml#newsitemEkkyyEuEuukmcFBdDr http://www.mariahdaily.com/news.shtml#newsitemEkkyyEuEuukmcFBdDr Total Finale Live.

Mariah and a parade of celebrities and performers like no other will take a last stroll through the TRL studio set and past the squealing audience as they look back at a decade of incredible shows, guests, music videos and more.

MariahCarey.com has a pair of tickets to give away to a Honey B. Fly member and their chosen guest to be a part of the celebration. For details on how to enter, click here. Contest ends Thursday, Nov. 13th at 6:00pm ET.

The TRL Studio is located at 1515 Broadway in New York City. Total Finale Live will air live on MTV on Sunday, Nov. 16th at 8:00pm ET.]]>