2001 She is dropped by her record company, has a nervous breakdown and loses her lover 2005 She sells 7.5m albums, equals Elvis's 17 number 1s and gets a hot new boyfriend
By Caroline Hedley
AS comebacks go, it is nothing short of spectacular. The former queen of pop had hit rock bottom with a clang - humiliatingly dropped by her record label and hospitalised after a nervous breakdown. But in 2005, Mariah Carey emerged triumphant to reclaim her crown.

Her current album, The Emancipation Of Mimi, sold 7.5 million copies, and with her latest single, Don't Forget About Us, she equalled Elvis Presley's record of 17 US No 1s - only The Beatles have had more.

The pop diva, worth £173million, also made a memorable appearance at last summer's Live 8 extravaganza in London.

And she capped off her remarkable year by welcoming in 2006 with an historic live performance in New York's Times Square.

"It's been pretty incredible," says 35-year-old Mariah, pouring the first of several glasses of pink champagne, as she curls her legs underneath her on a worn blue sofa in her suite at London's posh Claridge's Hotel.

"And the best thing about it is I've been successful by being me this time. Previously people have tried to control every aspect of my image and told me that I shouldn't sing this type of song and that I shouldn't dress too sexy. And you know what? I was right all along."

It's a remarkable turnaround for Mariah, who got a £16million pay-off from EMI in 2002 because they wanted to release her from a contract signed just one year earlier.


"I've learned now that I can't place too much importance on good reviews," she says.


"Much as I'd like to read something nice and be like, 'OK, I've validated my existence', if someone writes something negative then I have to believe that. I have to stay oblivious, see some nice things and take in criticism when I think it's valid. That's the only way to keep a balance."


Someone said to be helping Mariah achieve that balance in her personal life is male model Christian Monzon.


They met during the filming of her Don't Forget About Us video, in which they writhe seminaked in a pool. Since then they have been spotted dining out near Mariah's home in Los Angeles.


Yet romance is one area of her life that she is a little uncomfortable discussing.


"Erm, how do we play this?" she says, averting her gaze and twirling a lock of hair around a French manicured finger.


"OK, he's a very nice guy, he's been in a fabulous Dolce & Gabbana advert - did you see it? - and we've had some nice conversations and, um, a nice time.


"OK, I'll say he definitely did a very good job in the video.


ANYWAY men tend to go off me when they find out I'm a prude.


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