BOYZ

Forever fascinating, Mariah Carey aka Mrs Nick Cannon is back in the spotlight with her brand new album, Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel, and will be hitting the big screen again in January as a dowdy social worker in award-winning film Precious. Stuart Brumfitt heard from her about her fav fashion labels, rumours she calls her hubby ‘DJ Sex Fingers’ and getting back into acting after being slated for Glitter.

Where are you at the moment?
I’m in New York. I’ve just arrived after my performance at Rock in Rio, straight after that I flew to California for the LA premiere of Precious. Before that I was in Korea and Tokyo promoting my new album so there has been a lot of flying recently. I’m happy to be back in my home even if it is for a brief moment.

You travel all over the world, but where do you love the most?
I really love Capri, I’ve had many holidays there and love to swim in the sea. I’ve recorded many of my albums there too. I also own a home on Eleuthera in the Bahamas, which is very sentimental to me as it’s where Nick and I got married.


How was Fashion Rocks in Brazil?
Fashion Rocks was really cool. I was so delighted to see my Brazilian fans and I performed a special remix of Fantasy which went down really well. It had the full Carnival feel!

Who are your favourite fashion designers then?
There are so many to mention. At Rio Rocks I performed for Calvin Klein. I wore Dolce & Gabbana at the premiere of Precious at Cannes. I love Versace, Chanel, Dior and Azzedine Alaia.


Your album’s called Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel – in what ways are you imperfect? And are you really an angel?
I’d written a song called ‘Imperfect’, but it didn’t make it onto the album. The lyrics of that song address the fact that the world puts so much pressure on us - especially on women - to be perfect and look a certain way, and that’s impossible because nobody is perfect. I know I’ve tried to be a good person, but I am definitely no angel!

You’ve worked with tons of rappers, including Gucci Mane on ‘Obsessed’. Who is the most gorgeous?
I loved working with Gucci on Obsessed. He’s really cool. As for who is the most gorgeous, that would be Nick of course!

We heard you call your husband ‘DJ Sex Fingers’. Is this true?
This is not true!

There was a gay proposal at your performance at The Palms in Las Vegas recently. How did that come about?
A Canadian fan got in touch and said his partner would say yes if he could propose on stage and so I let them come up on stage during my performance in Vegas.

What do you think of your gay fans?
I love all my fans. My gay fans are always so delightful and they give so much love. A few years ago I did a show at G-A-Y in London and I had so much fun. It was very exciting and the audience were so with me. An unforgettable moment for me.

Why do you think you’re a gay icon? And you are!
I think people can identify with what I’m writing about and the emotion in my songs.

You’ve done a cover of ‘I Wanna Know What Love Is.’ Don’t you know what love is though?
One night Nick and I were talking about the album and the idea of doing this song just came up. For a very long time I didn’t know what love was, but meeting my husband has opened a whole new world and understanding of the meaning of love.

Your new film Precious has received awards and you’ve been praised for your performance. How proud are you of it?
I’m very proud of this movie and love working with the director Lee Daniels. I have worked with him previously on Tennessee and it’s wonderful to see him receive the praise he so deserves.

Do you mind being all plain and without make-up in the film?
I looked so damn ugly! Those little bangs and then Lee Daniels put dark circles under my eyes. I just kept away from mirrors. I had to do the inner work to be this character.

Weren’t you scared to do another film after criticisms over Glitter?
I thought the whole thing about Glitter was a little unfair. First the movie came out after September 11th and because it was me and my first movie I was somewhat unfairly criticised. I am so glad I am in the place I am now with my movie career. The feedback from my performance in Precious has been very encouraging.

The Director of Precious, Lee Daniels, said in the New York Times: ‘She would throw herself under the train for you, as long as her hair was perfect.’ How true is that?
Oh did he say that? You had better ask Lee that question but my hair didn’t look too pretty in Precious!

• The album Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel and the brand new single ‘I Want To Know What Love Is’ will both be released on the 23rd November.
• Precious will be released in the UK in January 2010.