Mariah Carey chatting via AIM, September 2005:

aolmusic:: hey mariah. wassup?
aolmusic:: or should I call you Mimi?
Emancip8Mimi:: whatever you like...
aolmusic:: where are you at right now?
Emancip8Mimi:: LA...where are you?
aolmusic:: I'm in new york, listening to and loving your new album
aolmusic:: before we go any further, i've got to say congratulations
Emancip8Mimi:: thank you much
aolmusic:: there's so many amazing things happening for you right now!
Emancip8Mimi:: definitely
Emancip8Mimi:: prayers answered
aolmusic:: back in August, you became the first female artist in history to have back-to-back number one songs
aolmusic:: it must just blow your mind to think about what you've achieved.
Emancip8Mimi:: its hot tamale...
Emancip8Mimi:: no seriously, it's an incredible feeling and i never expected it...but i'm very gr8ful for this. Especially since it happened with 'Shake It Off' which was one of my favorite songs on the album.
Emancip8Mimi:: for a while i thought it would never get released as a single cause a lot of people thought it was too "urban" and not pop enough. but it shows me sometimes you just have to trust your own instincts
aolmusic:: and you're also very close to breaking the Beatles and Elvis' record for most number one songs ever.
aolmusic:: do you ever have to pinch yourself to make sure you're not dreaming?
Emancip8Mimi:: i'm just grateful for everything God has given me
Emancip8Mimi:: obviously its overwhelming to hear that kind of thing. i'm just grateful people are responding to what i'm doing in such a positive way.
aolmusic:: yeah, and your fans are obviously enjoying your ride to the top.
aolmusic:: especially the ones that have stood beside you since the beginning
Emancip8Mimi:: i have the most incredible fans in the world!!!!! at this point, some of them are really like an extended family to me.
Emancip8Mimi:: this success of 'Mimi' and the fact that 'We Belong Together' has become the most successful single of my career obviously means a lot to me as the artist, but it's even more significant because i know how much it means to the fans.
aolmusic:: You recorded this album in a couple of different places. What's the biggest difference between working in Atlanta and working in Capri?
aolmusic:: besides the beach
Emancip8Mimi:: when i work in ATL its usually a writing session in JD's studio which is a very creative environment, plus we're all friends who have been working together for a long time so we always have fun.
Emancip8Mimi:: the reason i go to Capri rather then recording in NY or LA or any other city is because that's the best place for me to do my vocals for a number of reasons...
Emancip8Mimi:: its very private, the air is clean and humid which is great for my voice, and i can totally focus on what i'm doing cause there's no distractions
Emancip8Mimi:: it's basically just sleeping and singing
aolmusic:: and it's such a beautiful place too.
aolmusic:: it must be really inspiring just to be in that setting
Emancip8Mimi:: definitely! i usually sing by this big open window overlooking the Mediterranean sea
Emancip8Mimi:: its so beautiful!
aolmusic:: i can imagine!
aolmusic:: so, in the rare moments that you actually get time to yourself... what do you do?
aolmusic:: how does mariah unwind?
Emancip8Mimi:: i take baths, watch movies, hang with friends, sleep...there's this game called Taboo that I quite enjoy. i love to swim, but that's usually a vacation activity which is a whole other question.
aolmusic:: how do you stay on top of things, musically?
aolmusic:: do you ever go out to clubs to hear what's hitting the streets?
Emancip8Mimi:: i do like to go to pon de club when i get a chance, but more so in NY where I live...
Emancip8Mimi:: out here everything closes at 2AM, which would typically be when I'm leaving my apt to go out in NYC.
aolmusic:: have you heard anything recently that's really turned you on?
Emancip8Mimi:: i think Jermaine Dupri is on an incredible roll right now...
aolmusic:: yeah, JD is totally on fire.
Emancip8Mimi:: he has something like the top 3 or 4 songs in the country right now on a couple different charts i'm SO happy for him cause no one deserves it more!
aolmusic:: what's the best thing about working with him?
aolmusic:: what does he bring out of you no one else does?
Emancip8Mimi:: first of all he's a great person and he's like a brother to me. i think we compliment each other musically, and we always have.
Emancip8Mimi:: the thing about JD is that his influences are very similar to mine...we both love classic r&b and hip-hop. yet we understand how to merge those elements with what's going on today.
Emancip8Mimi:: its a creative challenge for us...the 1st song we wrote together was 'Always Be My Baby,' that's when we realized we were a good team. we've both come a long way since then...i feel like we bring out the best in each other.

Emancip8Mimi:: btw have you heard my dog jack was nominated for a Relly award on the regis and kelly show?
aolmusic:: omg, no!
Emancip8Mimi:: it was for best non-human guest...he was up against Miss Piggy, Barney, Chewbacca and a 2 headed albino snake.
aolmusic:: lol
aolmusic:: that's so awesome
Emancip8Mimi:: how PIP is that!
aolmusic:: how long ago was he on?
Emancip8Mimi:: he was on with me when 'We Belong Together' first came out. he's a star!
aolmusic:: aren't there a couple websites devoted to him too?
Emancip8Mimi:: dahhling yes!!!!
Emancip8Mimi:: Love Love Jack Japan
Emancip8Mimi:: and The Marvellous Jack
Emancip8Mimi:: and i think there's a new one called Doggy P. Fly...they're all cute fansites
aolmusic:: awwww. what a cutie!
aolmusic:: pretty soon, he'll be more famous than you
Emancip8Mimi:: he already is!!!!!!!!!

aolmusic:: so, last question...
aolmusic:: cuz i know you're super busy
aolmusic:: but the people want to know!
Emancip8Mimi:: drum roll
aolmusic:: You have had your share of ups and downs, but through it all, you've come out stronger than ever.
aolmusic:: Any words of wisdom to share with your fans that might be going through it themselves?
Emancip8Mimi:: weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5
aolmusic:: amen to that
aolmusic:: it's been great chatting with ya mariah
aolmusic:: congrats again on all everything!
Emancip8Mimi:: been great chatting with you too dahhling!!!!
aolmusic:: have a lovely night
Emancip8Mimi:: thank u much...i'm off to the studio!!!!! bye
Emancip8Mimi:: signed off at 1:27 A.M.