Mariah Carey Has Inherited Her Voice from Her Parents - Glimpse into Her Road to Stardom
Mariah Carey has cemented her status as one of the most successful singers of all time. However, her achievements of today wouldn’t have been without the input of her parents.
With over 200 million records sold worldwide and five Grammy awards to her name, Mariah Carey is undoubtedly a musical powerhouse.
Her unique melodious voice and undeniable charisma have made her 32-year career still as relevant as it was in the late ‘90s. While Carey has stayed true to putting in the work over the decades, her success story isn’t complete without her parents, especially her mother.
Mariah Carey at the Empire State Building on December 17, 2019 in New York City. | Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images
EARLY LIFE AND EDUCATION
The talented singer was born on March 27, 1970, to Alfred Roy Carey, an aeronautical engineer, and Patricia Carey, a voice coach, and opera singer. She was the last of three siblings who grew up in Huntington, Long Island.
Unfortunately, at the age of 3, Carey’s parents divorced, and she stayed with her mother. In awe of her mother’s singing prowess, Carey began imitating her mother as early as 2. However, her true passion for singing didn’t come until she started dealing with the hurt from bullies who teased her for being biracial.
Carey found solace in singing and, at age four, began taking singing lessons, paving the way for her impressive five-octave voice range. She went to Harborfields High School in Greenlawn and, after graduating in 1987, began working odd jobs as a waitress and coat check girl. She also studied cosmetology, but her one mission was to use her voice to liberate the world.
Mariah Carey at the amfAR Cannes Gala 2019 at Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc on May 23, 2019, in Cap d'Antibes, France. | Photo by Gisela Schober/Getty Images for amFAR
EARLY MUSIC CAREER
While working those jobs, the “We Belong Together” crooner wrote songs and pursued her career tirelessly until she encountered singer Brenda K. Starr during a party. Carey devotedly sang backup for Starr, and one day the latter convinced her to bring her demo tapes. That was the turning point for Carey.
The tape was given to the president of then-Columbia records, Tommy Mottola, who was immediately impressed by Carey’s voice and signed her. Soon after, her debut self-titled album, “Mariah Carey,” was released in 1990. The album had four No. 1 tracks, including “Vision of Love” and “I Don’t Wanna Cry,” and sold over 12 million copies.
It earned her first two Grammy awards for Best New Artist and Best Female Vocalist, shooting Carey to the top of her field. Her second album, “Emotions” was released two years later, and it featured hit tracks that topped the charts.
Mariah Carey speaks during a live Q&A during the season premiere screening of Fox's 'American Idol' at Royce Hall, UCLA on January 9, 2013 in Westwood, California. | Photo by Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images
MORE ALBUMS AND CRITICAL ACCLAIM
Over the next three decades, Carey would go on to release about 13 more albums “Music Box,” “Daydream,” “Butterfly,” “Merry Christmas,” “Glitter,” “Charmbracelet,” “Caution,” “The Rarities,” and many more.
Her iconic 2005 album, “Emancipation of Mimi,” earned critical acclaim and became the best selling album of that year. The hit song, “ We Belong Together” from the album became the first No 1 song without any guest artist. She also earned three Grammy Awards with the album.
Her next album, “E=MC²,” featured the single, “Touch My Body,” which pushed the singer to become the only artist in history to have 18 No. 1 singles knocking The Beatles out of the competition.
Mariah Carey poses with the Icon Award in the press room during the 2019 Billboard Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 01, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. | Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
PERSONAL LIFE
Carey had her first marriage to record president Mottola on June 5, 1993, in a lavish ceremony mirrored after royal weddings. According to reports, the renowned singer was depressed at the ceremony, and by 1997, they had called it quits.
She soon found love in the arms of rapper and actor Nick Cannon in 2008, and after two months of dating, the duo tied the knot on April 30, 2008. Their twins, Monroe and Morrocan, were born in 2011. However, after six years of marriage, Cannon and Carey called it quits. The singer has dated several people but hasn’t gotten married after Cannon.
Monroe Cannon, Nick Cannon, Mariah Carey and Moroccan Scott Cannon attend the Moroccan Scott Cannon and Monroe Cannon Party on Mary 13 in Los Angeles, California. | Photo by Rich Polk/FilmMagic
Away from her love life, the 50-year-old has been open about her struggle with bipolar disorder. Although she struggled with it for years, Carey finally came out with the news in a cover story for People Magazine in April 2018. In the publication, she explained that it was first diagnosed in 2001 after being hospitalized for a nervous breakdown.
Initially, she didn’t dare to talk about for fear of people judging her, but that soon changed after receiving help and undergoing treatment. Now, she feels more comfortable talking about it and wants to help others with the same struggle.