Megastardom does not come without its hard work, passion, generous spirit,
and quest for new and creative outletsc at least for Mariah Carey. The singer,
songwriter, actress, and soon-to-be fragrance maker is on the go, on her way to
Aspen, and has no plans of slowing down.
ASPEN PEAK: You recently wrapped up your US tour for your CD, The Emancipation
of Mimi, and youfre already heading for Japan. How are you feeling?
MARIAH CAREY: This is usually my vocal rest day. I just did a couple of shows
back to back. I donft speak between shows, but this is my favorite magazine! Ifm
on my way to the airport, heading for Japan, and that tour is close to three
weeks. I just came from Phoenix, and we had a slight party afterward, which I
donft really do. Right now, itfs all about the plane ride and silence.
AP: So this US tour was the first time you traveled by tour busc.
MC: I loved it. Everybody was laughing at me, like, gYeah, right. Youfre so
never gonna do that.h I know I have this diva thing, but I really did like it.
AP: How was the experience overall?
MC: I had a lot of private time, which I donft usually. My apartment in Tribeca
is really big and there are people around all the time. This was cozy. It felt
like I had more independence. My dog Jack had his little nook. He has become a
celebrity in his own right—he was nominated for two Relly awards [from Live with
Regis and Kelly]. The funniest part is that hefs taking the tour bus home right
now.
AP: How does this tour compare with ones in the past?
MC: In my opinion, it was the biggest and best tour Ifve ever done. We had great
supporting acts. Sean Paul opened up the first half of the tour. Busta Rhymes
did the whole West Coast. It was great having them out there. The crowd was so
diverse—from 14-year-old girls to 24-year-old hip-hop guys to older married
couples.
AP: How many people tour with you?
MC: We had about 78 people, 13 trucks, and eight buses.
AP: I hear youfre going to South Africa in December with Oprah when she opens a
new school for girls. How did this come about?
MC: Oprah sent me an invitation. I had been to the Legends Ball as well, which
was amazing and one of the most—no, the most—fabulous event Ifve ever been to in
my life. The luncheon and the special care and time she took for her guests were
amazing. And this trip should be an incredible piece of history, so Ifm looking
forward to being there. Itfs an honor and privilege to be invited.
AP: Youfll be in Aspen for Christmas—how were you introduced to the town?
MC: Ifll be therec for Christmas Day. I love the lead up to Christmas. Ifve been
going [to Aspen] since about 1997. I went to Telluride first, which was cool and
pretty.
AP: What do you plan to do here?
MC: Ifm not a great skier at all. I take one run and ski in an outfit thatfs
cute. The point is that I love having a white Christmas. I love the vibe of
Aspenc not necessarily the whole paparazzi-celebrity thing, which is cool, but I
do stuff like going on sleigh rides with friends. We go all out to really have
the most lovely Christmas and to relive my dreams of being a kid. Being out in
Aspen is always so amazing and picturesque. I have a sense of feeling at home
there.
AP: Are there any places you go every year?
MC: I usually go to Matsuhisa—I think itfs my favorite of all the Nobu
restaurants. Ifve seen Chef Nobu there more than Ifve seen him in Japan. Ifm
usually at Joan Boycefs jewelry store. I like Piñons. Their salad is my
favorite.
AP: Back to the slopes: Do you ski only on Aspen Mountain?
MC: Ifve been to Snowmass. I think itfs easier for skiers like me. I donft want
to sit here and talk about how bad I am, but herefs the problem—Ifm not an
early-to-rise person. I really like to sleep, so by the time I get to the
slopes, itfs always like the last run, so if I go to a snowboarding class or
something, Ifm not going to get much time in. I might as well ski one run and
call it a day. But this year Ifm going to try to go snowboarding. I havenft
gotten past the gfall on your buttocksh stage yet, so Ifm waiting for that to
happen.
AP: But youfll have your friends here to look out for you.
MC: Yeah. Ifll have friends and extended family here. I have a friend from
England whofs coming and in and another from Sweden whofs been a friend since
the 10th grade.
AP: Do you stay in the same place each year?
MC: I try different places, but I really would like to have a place in Aspen one
day. Ifm a very specific person. I built the place where I live now, and Ifve
built places before. I kind of like things to be exactly how I like them. We
know what that process takesc a billion years and a billion dollars!
AP: Would you like to live in town?
MC: I think something on the outskirts would be cool, but I could come in if I
wanted to. I really like the serenity, and it looks like something out of an
incredible painting. Itfs so gorgeous. Itfs not just about celebrity moments
there. Itfs about fun. I actually go tubing all the time.
AP: You once worked with a charity and brought children here from Denver, who
were living in an orphanage. Will you do that again this year?
MC: Ifm trying to. Itfs a lot of fun, and Christmas is obviously about giving
and sharing. If that means your time and creating a fun environment for kids, I
think thatfs something everyone should try to do. Itfs really important for me
to give back. I feel Ifve been so blessed. Last year we went ice skating [with
the kids], which is pretty funny to watch. Itfs like watching me ski.
AP: Do you hike when youfre here?
MC: Sort of, kind of. I donft think it would qualify in a hiking manual. I go on
walks near where Ifm staying, which usually has wooded areas and brooks.
AP: Where do you want to stay this year?
MC: I donft know yet, but it has to have a hot tub. I like to get out of the hot
tub and roll in the snow. Someone told me that was a tradition in Aspen, but
maybe they were lying to me. Itfs a tradition for us to have Santa Claus-looking
bikinis, jump in the hot tub, and roll in the fresh snow.
AP: So after the week here, and then South Africa with Oprah, whatfs next on
your agenda?
MC: Ifm working on a movie that Ifve been really excited about called Tennessee,
produced by Lee Daniels, who was the producer of Monsterfs Ball and The
Woodsman.
AP: Whatfs your role in the film?
MC: I play a waitress who is a down-home country girl. Itfs an ensemble piece
and a nice role. The story is about two brothers who are on a journey to find
their estranged father.
AP: When will the film be released?
MC: The goal is before Christmas 2007.
AP: You have a lot in front of you.
MC: Another big priority is a fragrance Ifm launching with Elizabeth Arden. Itfs
the first time Ifve ever done a fragrance. Itfs been an amazing and creative
process. You sit down with the gjuiceh companies, and then they show you the
different scents. You then compose the scent. The process was very similar to
writing a song. The fragrance is almost done, and next is the bottling and then
the marketing campaign. The fragrance will come out in conjunction with a new
album, which Ifll start working on right after Christmas.
AP: Is there a working title?
MC: There is, but I canft tell you right now!
AP: Youfve had an amazing success with The Emancipation of Mimi. You must be
very proud of it.
MC: Ifm really proud of winning the BMI Songwriter of the Year, and Song of the
Year awardsc it meant a lot to me. Unless people see you sitting behind a piano
or strumming a guitar, they donft recognize you as a true songwriter, which I
consider myself to be first and foremost. A lot of people donft realize that.
AP: Quite a year, right?
MC: The whole time I was just really looking forward to coming to Aspen.
Below are photos from the article of Mariah with her cousin Shawn on Christmas
morning, and skiing with friend Josephine.
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