What's with Mariah Carey and the high notes? Can she still hit them like she did during her "Emotions" days? BTW, love your podcast here in South Africa.
—Caleb

Apparently, she can still sing them. Earlier this month a New Yorker reporter got an earful of a live Mariah Carey set, including, per the resulting article, "the high notes of 'Hero.' "
(E! Online)

Mariah Carey clearly knows how to test a man’s resolve – just ask new husband Nick Cannon.

The singer has confessed that she kept the rap star waiting until they were married before, well, you know…they got down to the intimate side of their relationship.

But Mariah says hanging on for that two months from when they met in February to when they tied the knot in the Bahamas in April was well worth it.

She adds: “It’s not that we had NO intimacy, we just didn’t have complete intimacy. It’s just me, and my feelings.

“I definitely don’t want to push it on anybody else. But we both have similar beliefs, and I just thought that it would be so much more special if we waited until after we were married. And it was, and it still is.”

As the couple celebrate their six-month anniversary, the US star has declared she has never been happier.

And no doubt X Factor fans are over the moon that she has agreed to appear on the show tonight to mentor the wannabe stars and belting out her new single I Stay in Love.

One of her most famous songs, Hero, is currently at number one in the British charts and the X Factor finalists have recorded a version of the rousing ballad to raise funds for Help For Heroes, a charity helping British troops in Afghanistan and Iraq.

It is already the biggest-selling single of 2008. Mariah has flown in from New York to help the aspiring singers, and perform alongside them on tonight’s show.

She says: “I think they’ve done a really good version. I’m a songwriter first and foremost, and it’s always a big compliment when someone wants to cover one of my tracks. I’ve been to the Middle East myself, to visit the troops, and I know what amazing work they do out there.”

So who is her favourite to win X Factor? She replies: “It’s hard to say.

“There are a lot of talented people this year. But I have really been looking forward to working with them, and getting to know them all individually.”

Mariah met Nick, who is also a DJ and actor, on the set of her video Bye Bye. After a whirlwind romance she was whisked down the aisle in the Caribbean.

And the singer says life has been a blissful since they she and Nick got hitched.

Sitting in the Dorchester hotel in London, she tells the Mirror: “We celebrated our anniversary with a huge Halloween party. I went in a cookies costume, and Nick dressed as milk. We had the most amazing day.”

Lovingly caressing one of her huge heart-shaped diamond earrings, she went on: “He bought me these, and the biggest bunch of flowers you’ve ever seen. He’s incredibly romantic.”

The surprise wedding made headlines around the world. But no one was more stunned to be taking a second trip up the aisle than 38-year-old Mariah.

Her first marriage to former Sony Records boss Tommy Mottola ended acrimoniously a decade ago, and she admitted she was reluctant to take the plunge a second time.
(Mirror)

Mariah Hero is planning on creating a Christmas book for Mariah! That’s right! We want to wish Mariah Carey a great Christmas! Our first step is to gather people willing to collaborate with Mariah Hero.

Right now, we’re looking for people who want to design the book (cover and pages). We’re also open to hear from you; therefore, if you have ideas and suggestions, use this thread and speak your mind!

If all you want to do is send a warm message to Mariah, start thinking about something that you want her to know or see. We’ll be accepting entries from October 19; the deadline is November 23, 2008. Stay tuned for updates. Spread the word!

If you'd like to use your creativity (Book designers) for this project, just let us know. Come on by the message board today for more info.
(Mariahhero.com)

We're guessing Mariah Carey won't be taking puddle-jumpers anywhere anytime soon. The R&B singer took an astonishing 20 suitcases with her on a recent trip to London... that was only three days long.

Carey was scheduled to appear on Britain's "American Idol"-ish "X Factor" (the show that discovered singer Leona Lewis) to coach contestants assigned to sing one of her songs. Rumor has it Carey may even join the show as a judge, replacing Kylie Minogue's sister Dannii.

To be fair, she and husband Nick Cannon are planning to travel to Monaco after the weekend. So that accounts for at least three suitcases right there. But then again, Carey didn't actually carry any of those suitcases herself, instead leaving them to two poor Heathrow employees with carts.
(Jaunted)

Mariah Carey lived up to her diva reputation as she arrived in London for a three-night stay today... accompanied by 20 suitcases. The singer and her husband Nick Cannon needed two huge trolleys to carry their bags. Porters pushing them through Heathrow airport seemed bemused by their haul.

When the newlyweds arrived at the Dorchester they were met by a crush of Mariah's fans, who held up banners saying 'Congrats MC and Nick'.

Mariah, who is 11 years older than her 27-year-old actor husband, dressed for comfort in grey leggings and open toe boots.

The 38-year-old kept warm with a long black cardigan, while Cannon dressed smartly in a pinstripe suit.

This week on the X Factor all the contestants will be performing a Mariah ballad - with the soul singer on hand to instruct them.

There are are plenty to choose from - with a career spanning 18 years, Mariah was named the best selling female artist of millennium in 2000 and has had more US number one hits than any other female in history.

The hopefuls have already covered one of Mariah's songs, Hero, currently at Number One in the British charts.

The track is raising funds for the Help For Heroes campaign and looks set to be one of the biggest selling British records of all time.

On Saturday night Mariah will join the remaining finalists on stage in a special performance of the track, as well as performing her latest single I Stay In Love.

Her X Factor debut comes after Simon Cowell personally stepped in to request her.

Mariah has also been tipped as a possibility to replace X Factor judge Dannii Minogue at the end of the series, when the singer is widely tipped to leave the show.

Following her X Factor performance Mariah and her husband will be flying to Monaco for the World Music Awards.

The couple, who originally met at the Kids' Choice Awards in 2005, married at her private estate in the Bahamas in April after a whirlwind six week romance.

They fell for each other when Cannon flew to Antigua at the end of March to play Mariah's love interest in the video for her single Bye Bye.
(dailymail.co.uk)

Mariah Carey and her husband Nick Cannon were spotted at The Dorchester Nov. 6 in London, England.

All jokes a side though… why my boy Nick didn’t get to sign any autographs. What Drumline wasn’t good enough?
(singersroom)

She might have won many hearts with her songs and looks, but Mariah Carey was the happiest when she came to know her very special fan - the new president of the United States.

Barack Obamas wife Michelle played Mariahs hit song Hero to him before the result was announced, a pal close to the singer has revealed.

“She was blown away when she heard. She is so honored to have played her part in such an occasion, The Mirror quoted Mariahs pal, as saying.

Meanwhile, Carey was recently in London to promote her greatest hits album, which caused quite a stir with the X Factor contestants.

The stunner will sing on the show this week while the rivals will each have to cover one of her songs.
(thaindian)

Mariah Carey has a very special fan - the new president of the United States.

Barack Obama's wife Michelle played the singer's 1993 hit Hero to him before the election results were announced.

A friend of Mariah's said: "She was blown away when she heard. She is so honoured to have played her part in such an occasion."
(Mirror)

"Right To Dream," the original ballad Mariah co-wrote with Willie Nelson for her film Tennessee, went for adds at Adult Contemporary radio on Monday, October 20th. Tennessee opens in theaters nationwide on Friday, December 19, 2008.

Mariah Carey will travel to the World Music Awards on a $10,000 private flight.

The singer is appearing on UK TV talent show 'The X Factor' on Saturday night (08.11.08) so organisers have chartered the special plane to get her to the 20th annual ceremony in Monaco which takes place on Sunday (09.11.08).

Mariah will be joined by husband Nick Cannon on the journey which will see them lavishly treated.

A source told Britain's Daily Mirror newspaper: "It'll be like a second honeymoon on board the jet for them. There'll be no expense spared for Mariah - lilies, mini-burgers, sparkling water and bundles of her favourite Hello Kitty toys as a present.

"Staff won't disturb them until Mariah calls, to ensure the love birds have the utmost privacy on the cosy flight."

Mariah has received 16 World Music Awards throughout her career - more than any other artist.

Her accolades include the Legend award and a special Millennium award for being the best-selling female recording artist of all time.

On this week's 'X Factor', Mariah will be mentoring the pop wannabes who will all have to interpret one of her hits.

The 38-year-old star will perform her latest single 'I Stay In Love', along with her classic hit 'Hero' with the contestants. 'The X Factor' finalists' charity version of the song is currently at number one in the UK singles chart.
(STV.TV)

Mariah Carey's 1993 hit "Hero" is a hit once more for a new generation of British singers. The tune has been re-recorded for charity by the 2008 finalists of the U.K.'s popular TV talent competition The X Factor. This week the new version debuted at Number One on the U.K. singles chart.

The new version of "Hero" raises money for British servicemen and women injured in the line of duty.

This week's chart-topping showing for the tune has outdone Carey's original, which peaked at Number Seven some 15 years ago in the U. K.

"Hero" appeared on Carey's 1993 Music Box album. It was a Number One hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S.

Carey's latest CD, E=MC2, was released in April.

SIDE NOTE

It pays to write your own material. Carey has had a hand in penning a majority of her songs over the course of her career. "Hero" was co-written by Carey with producer Walter Afanasieff.

Though Carey does not appear on the new version of "Hero," she receives royalties for any new recording of her compositions as well as for public and broadcast performances of those songs.

The five-time Grammy winner renewed her worldwide publishing administration agreement with the Universal Music Publishing Group last April.
(kbsradio)

As one of the world's premiere divas and most sought-after stars, Mariah Carey is used to having anything her heart desires delivered at a moment's notice.

She also famed for doing what she likes, when she likes - and when a lady's as famous as she is, she's used to getting her way.

So ahead of her appearance on this weekend's X Factor where Mimi's set to be treated like a princess, here's Mirror.co.uk's Top 10 favourite crazy stories about the divine Miss M...

1. We're guessing this is one moment that wasn't on Mariah's wishlist. The diva was drenched in vomit after being thrown up on in 2000 by the then Smash Hits editor Johnny McKie while he was interviewing her in the back of her limo. He was very hungover, he said in his defence.

2. Her appearance on MTV Cribs, where she changed her outfit about 73 times, yet still finished up virtually naked wearing just a dressing gown.

3. Mariah wears her Manolo Blahnik stilettoes on the treadmill in her home gym, explaining: "I can’t wear flat shoes. My feet repel them."

4. At Live Eight in 2005, Mariah clearly had the plight of impoverished orphans and starving children on her mind when she demanded onstage that a skivvy rush out with a bottle of water with a straw for her.

5. Talking of which, she famously said of the same malnourished kids: "When I watch TV and see all those poor starving kids all over the world, I can’t help but cry. I mean, I’d love to be skinny like that, but not with all those flies and death and stuff." Sadly, it’s an urban myth and she never said it.

6. However, this quote IS true. In 1999, Mariah Carey held a press conference to promote a new single. Three questions in, she was asked to comment on the recent death of Jordan's King Hussein. She replied: "I'm inconsolable at the present time, I was a very good friend of Jordan, he was probably the greatest basketball player this country has ever seen. We will never see his like again."

7. She hasn't used public transport for 15 years, saying: "I've already been on the bus, I don't need to get back on the bus." Talking of transport, Maria used to fly her Jack Russell - er, Jack - in a first class seat. He's now too big, so goes on private jet.

8. Glitter. Not only was the entire film a stinker, it was released on 9/11 in 2001. In the common parlance of today = EPIC FAIL.

9. On her 2005 trip to the UK, Maria brought 100 pairs of shoes with her and refused to enter her London hotel until a red carpet was laid out, flanked by white candles. Naturally. She also cancelled a Capital Radio breakfast show interview because she's "not a morning person."

10. Mariah sleeps with 20 humidifiers around the bed to preserve her voice and is surrounded by three body guards at dinner so no-one can see her eat. Oh Mariah, how we love you.
(Mirror)

London, Nov 4 (IANS) Singer Mariah Carey is going to have all her diva demands met for the World Music Awards in Monaco. Mirror.co.uk reports that the organisers are planning to spoil her - they are going to spend 10,000 pounds on a private jet that will pick her after her “X Factor” performance and take her to Monaco for the 20th anniversary celebrations.

It will be the first time she will be seen there with her husband Nick Cannon.

“It’ll be like a second honeymoon on board for them. There’ll be no expense spared for Mariah. Lilies, mini burgers, sparkling water and bundles of her favourite Hello Kitty toys as a present,” an insider said.
(thaindian.com)

Mariah Carey's 1993 hit "Hero," covered for charity by the 2008 finalists in the TV talent series "The X Factor," debuted at No. 1 on the U.K. singles chart yesterday (Nov. 2), while Pink's "Funhouse" (LaFace/Sony BMG) entered at the top of the new album survey.

The new version of "Hero," released by Syco Music/Sony BMG, benefits British servicemen and women injured in the line of duty, and has outdone Carey's original, which peaked at No. 7 some 15 years ago. It unseated last week's new entry at the summit, Girls Aloud's "The Promise" (Fascination/Polydor), which fell to No. 2, as Pink's former No. 1 "So What" dropped another place to No. 3.

Katy Perry's "Hot N Cold" (Virgin) moved up another point to No. 6, while Jack White & Alicia Keys" "Another Way To Die" (RCA), fueled by the opening of the James Bond movie for which it provides the theme, "Quantum of Solace," vaulted 18-10.

On the album chart, "Funhouse" is Pink's first British No. 1 after three consecutive No. 3 peaks, with "M!zzundaztood" (2001), "Try This" (2003) and "I'm Not Dead" (2006). The new set restricted Snow Patrol to a No. 2 entry with "A Hundred Million Suns" (Fiction/Polydor), while AC/DC's "Black Ice" (Columbia) fell 1-3. There were also top 10 debuts for Celine Dion's "My Love -- The Essential Collection) (Sony BMG) at No. 5, Irish AC favorite Daniel O'Donnell's "Country Boy" (DMG TV) at No. 6 and Bloc Party's "Intimacy" (Wichita Recordings) at No. 8.

The AC/DC album climbed 66 places to top Billboard's European Top 100 Albums chart, while "So What" is in a second week atop Eurochart Hot 100 Singles.
(Billboard)

New York (ANI): Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon have apparently defied speculations claiming that the couple wouldn't last long - with their still going-strong marriage.

The celebrity couple, who wed each other at Carey's private estate on the Bahamas in April this year, were reportedly spotted still love-struck in Miami, reports the New York Post. Both the American rapper and his singer wife were seen "embracing lustfully like love-struck lovers" at a BlackBerry party at Prive, according to a spy.

On being offered a tequila by the Blue Door hostess, the 38-year-old Mariah is said to have replied: "I have some bad experiences with that," and chose to go for a Pinot Grigio instead.
(OneIndia)

A new compilation of the famous tenor‘s duets with some of the world's biggest stars

In a tribute to the late legendary Luciano Pavarotti, Universal Music Malaysia presents a collection of duets featuring some of the world’s biggest stars in duets with the tenor in the album, Pavarotti the Duets. This compilation album features artistes such as Celine Dion, Mariah Carey, Elton John, Andrea Bocelli, Bryan Adams, Sting and many more in duets with the legend himself during events for charity as Pavarotti is well-known for his noble heart.

While Pavarotti will always be celebrated as one of opera’s all-time greats, he earned a different type of recognition through his willingness to collaborate with an extraordinary variety of artistes and styles of music.

The all-star charity concerts he hosted in Modena afforded him many opportunities to test himself alongside leading names from rock, pop, classical music and soul, and these live partnerships frequently worked so well that they led to subsequent studio recordings.

This disc brings together a flavourful selection of Pavarotti’s best-loved duets, and it’s striking how many of them seem to have improved after the passage of a few years. Perhaps that’s because Pavarotti wisely didn’t try to become a different type of singer for each collaboration, but instead found ways to apply his distinctive gifts as an operatic tenor to every situation.

He accomplished this most dramatically when he sings It’s a Man’s World with James Brown. Nobody could emulate Brown’s barks, howls and raging raunchiness, but Pavarotti ingeniously found a new melodic line which dovetailed perfectly into the song.

It seemed to come almost as naturally to him as his duelling-tenors duet with Andrea Boccelli (Notte e piscatore) or his hookup with Sheryl Crow on Mozart’s La chi darem la mano.

If he could cope with the funkmeister Brown, he must have found it fairly simple to fit his voice into grand pop epics such as I Hate You Then I Love You, alongside an almost Wagnerian Celine Dion, or to trade diva-esque phrases with Mariah Carey on Hero, or to go head-to-head with an exuberant Elton John on his specially-written piece, Live Like Horses.

After all, songs like these aren’t so far removed in their musical structure from the well-known arias he’d sung on the operatic stage. Besides, Italian tenors have always loved belting out popular songs such as O Sole Mio, which Pavarotti sang alongside the glass-shattering tones of Canadian rock ’n’ roller Bryan Adams.

He pairs off with another rocker, New Jersey’s own Jon Bon Jovi, for Let It Rain, while in his joint effort with Lionel Richie on The Magic of Love, he exhibits a natural flair for the mega-ballad.

If he’d been born 20 years later, perhaps Pavarotti would have enjoyed a blockbusting career in stadium rock. He might even have found a home with U2, judging by his collaboration with Bono and Edge on Miss Sarajevo, which they wrote to suit Pavarotti’s vocal range, designing the piece to build steadily towards his climactic solo.

While Pavarotti’s mettle was tested by Annie Lennox’s fiery delivery on There Must Be an Angel, Eric Clapton’s heartstring-tugging Holy Mother allowed him to draw on some of the same emotional qualities he would bring to a piece of church music such as Miserere, performed here with his old comrade Zucchero, or Cesar Franck’s Panis Angelicus, which Pavarotti once sang with his father Fernando in the Modena cathedral.

He sings it here with with Sting, a guest at his first Modena concert in 1992.

Pavarotti the Duets is available in all music stores nationwide at RM43.50.
(The Sun)

A host of Hero songs next week! The theme for the fifth X Factor show of the series will be songs by Mariah Carey. Building on the success of The X Factor finalists' version of the Mariah hit Hero, the boys and girls still in the competition will each perform another track made famous by the American diva.

There are certainly plenty of tunes to choose from! With a career spanning 18 years, the record breaking pop queen was named the best selling female artist of millennium in 2000 and has had the more US number one hits than any other female in history.

Of course, Mariah Carey week wouldn't be Mariah Carey week without the lady herself. So the legendary singer will appear on next Saturday's show. This is one week when even Simon won't have the nerve to tell anyone off for singing her songs!
(ITV)