‘AS A KID I DIDN'T HAVE GREAT CHRISTMASES'

THE QUEEN OF CHRISTMAS MARIAH CAREY HAS A SPECIAL PLACE IN OUR HEARTS AND HOMES AT THIS TIME OF YEAR – BUT THE FESTIVE SEASON WASN’T ALWAYS SO JOYOUS FOR THE SONGBIRD SUPREME

- CHLOE ALEXANDROU

The first artist in history to have all five of her first singles reach the number one spot on Billboard’s top 100 list, Mariah Carey has been one for breaking boundaries since she started her career in music in the late 80s.

Mariah (aka Mimi) was born in Long Island, New York – whether in 1969 or 1970 has long been debated. Her mother, a former opera singer and vocal coach, was of Irish descent while her aeronautical engineer father held African American and Venezuelan heritage. The Always Be My Baby singer has been open about struggling with her racial identity.

“To be black and mixed and ambiguous looking is a very interesting road, particularly when you’re in this industry,” she said. “I understand people want to hold on to their roots. But for me, I was a complete nonentity because of it. Maybe that was part of my drive to succeed. I’ll become accepted.”

After graduating from high school, Mariah moved to a one-bedroom apartment in Manhattan which she shared with four other girls and began vocal training under the expert eyes and ears of her mother. Eager to coach her daughter’s natural talent in the best way possible, Mariah has said that her mother was never “pushy” and didn’t pressure her into classical singing.