The December 2002 release of Charmbracelet signaled the Grammy-winning star’s resurgence from a much-publicized physical breakdown. The album zoomed straight to the top of the charts. The album, in fact, sold an astounding three million copies all over the world.
Charmbracelet’s chartbusting single, "Through the Rain," reflects Mariah’s personal triumph over adversity and her continuing struggles to find her place under the sun.
"Writing Charmbracelet was a cathartic experience," she admits candidly. "I’ve been through a lot, personally and professionally. I lost my father this year, after we had reunited and become close. It was very hard for me and a lot of that emotion is on the album." In fact, she wrote and dedicated a song for her dad on the new album.
"The experience of recording this album is almost like the experience of my life," she confides to her fans on her website. "Going through it, dealing with things, and remaining hopeful."
In past interviews, she openly talked about her struggles as a multi-ethnic teener who encountered racial discrimination, as an aspiring singer who rose above her poverty-stricken background. Mariah’s Cinderella story could very well be the story of her many fans.
Before hitting it big with her powerhouse voice, she worked as a waitress and admitted to being fired from "20 restaurants" because of her sassy attitude. She also labored as a coat checker, beauty salon janitress, and part-time back-up singer.
It was that last gig as backup vocalist for R&B chanteuse Brenda K. Starr that changed Mariah’s destiny. It was Brenda who gave Sony Music Entertainment top gun Tommy Mottola Mariah’s demo tape at a party. Legend has it that Mottola played the demo on his ride home and ordered his driver to immediately return to the party so he could meet Mariah, and offered her a recording contract right there and then. Eventually, the two were married, but have since divorced.
Mariah has always been straightforward in her press interviews–as well as in her song-writing. Most of her songs, in fact, resonate with her personal experiences and feelings.
In 1990, the first time she heard her debut single "Visions of Love" on the radio, she was ecstatic, to say the least. She reveals: "I was in a car with a friend of mine and we were both screaming and calling people on the phone. It was definitely a memorable moment!"
That same soaring ballad effortlessly hit no. 1, the first in a succession of chartbusters. She holds the record for the most no. 1 singles–a total of 15 hits.
"I didn’t under-stand the whole chart thing at the time, but I still freaked out to see my song on no. 1," she shares.
When she performed the song at that year’s Grammy Awards, where she brought home two trophies (Best New Artist and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance), Mariah was on needles and pins.
"I was so nervous during the performance and the acceptance," she gasps, "that I couldn’t really enjoy the moment."
Although only a year had passed since "Vision of Love", by 1991 Mariah had already scored five no. 1 singles in a row with "Emotions".
"I was totally ecstatic, but again everything was happening so fast it was hard to take it all in," she quips.
By 1995, Mariah had become a seasoned pro. She even directed the music video of "Fantasy", her first attempt as director. "I had so much fun doing that," she gushes, "especially that scene with the clown. That was the best part."
"Fantasy" debuted on no. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, but that banner year coincided with a turbulent time in her personal life.
"I was incredibly happy, of course," she relates. "But at this point in my personal life, I was feeling very stifled."
A week later, "Daydream" also hit no. 1. "I worked very hard on that album and of course I felt an amazing sense of accomplishment," she says.
The year 1996 was another record-breaking year for Mariah. "One Sweet Day", her collaboration with Boys II Men, made history, staying the longest on no. 1–an unprecedented 16 weeks.
"Everyone involved with my career worked so hard for that record and the song was very special to a lot of people," she says. "So it was even more gratifying."
In 1997, she released Butterfly, her most favorite album to date.
"Butterfly is so close to my heart," she admits. "I was really excited about it. It’s such a personal album and my favorite work so far. I was extremely grateful for its success."
She capped the ’90s with a big bang, by being declared Artist of the Decade by Billboard magazine in 1999.
"I’ll never forget that moment," she beams with pride. "I felt such a sense of accomplishment and was so proud. I really felt like my fans had played a huge part in helping to make that happen for me."
As thanksgiving for her 13 colorful years in the music scene, she mounted the Charmbracelet World Tour. Mariah Mania hits Manila today with the Asian leg of the widely anticipated Charmbracelet World Tour 2003, set at The Fort Open Field.
"Charm bracelets have always had a personal and sentimental significance for me," she points out. "Charms are like pieces of yourself that you pass on to other people."