Q&A: Mariah Carey Wasn’t Always Sure About Making a Christmas Album

But the Grammy winner admits she initially wasn’t sure about doing a Christmas record when her label offered it to her. “I was a little apprehensive,” she recalls of her album “Merry Christmas,” which turns 30 this month.

Ahead of her appearance at Sunday’s American Music Awards and her upcoming Christmas tour starting in November, Carey spoke to The Associated Press about what advice she would give to young artists seeking fame and how to use her song “Always Be My Baby” Will do. In Ari Aster’s 2023 horror comedy, “Beau Is Afraid”.

The interview has been edited for clarity and brevity. : What has it been like celebrating nearly 20 years of “The Emancipation of Mimi” and reflecting on the legacy of this album?

Carey: I think “The Emancipation of Mimi” is one of my albums where there were different boundaries that were pushed aside and I was really happy about that because I obviously needed to come back. . And so, it was a comeback. But it’s one of my favorite albums. And celebrating it this year and this celebration of “Mimi” was really fun because I never got to do those songs. I never do them. And this time I did it. : Because of that kind of underdog spirit, did you feel some artistic freedom and empowerment that maybe you didn’t have before?

Carrie: Yeah, I feel like people were ready to embrace me again. And, you know, how did I feel about it? I mean, I feel like the album “Charmbracelet” was a really good album too, but not everyone knew that album. So, you know, when “We Belong Together” came out after “It’s Like That,” which didn’t do as well, but it still did pretty well. whatever. : “It’s Like That” is a great song.

Carey: It’s a good song. And I love performing it. You know, I go through phases with these albums. it’s interesting. : Your first Christmas album, “Merry Christmas,” turns 30 this month. This was obviously a formative record for you and your career. Do you remember anything about its beginning?

Carey: So that record company was saying, “You should make a Christmas album.” And I was like, “I don’t know what to do right now.” Because, you know, I was very young and just starting out and I felt like people made Christmas albums later in life. But now people have started doing them whenever, such as at the peak of their careers. So, I mean, how was I feeling? I was a little apprehensive and then I said, “I like it.” And I decorated the studio and had the best time. : Chappelle Roan has made headlines after speaking out about how she is coping with her sudden fame. As someone who has been in the public eye for so long, do you have any advice for young artists who are dealing with this?

Carrie: Well, I’ve been through my share of dramas and it’s not fun because you grow up thinking, “I want to be famous.” I mean, really with me, it was always, “I want to be a singer. I want to write songs.'” But “I Want to Be Famous” was right up there with it. I feel like it was probably because of the things I went through growing up that I didn’t feel like I was very good in myself. And that’s not a good way to feel, you know?

But my advice would be to try your best to go into this industry with your talent or love for what is really real to you. You know, if it’s like, “I want to be famous.” I want to hang out with people who are famous, no matter who they are,” so that’s probably not the best idea. :Have you seen Ari Aster’s “Beau Is Afraid” with Joaquin Phoenix?

Carrie: Yes. I had to approve it. I thought the way they used my song, “Always Be My Baby,” was interesting. That was interesting. I mean, it doesn’t really match the movie, but, you know, I was just getting excited saying, “You know, okay, okay.” It was very different. I mean, I wasn’t reluctant, but I thought, “This is something different than what I’ve done before.”

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