The introverted, mature and fighter woman from New York, who received the news of the break-up of her parents when she was only 3 years old, only took 20 to have the entire world on her feet.

Millions of people around the world agree that Mariah Carey knows the feelings of the soul. She is the only one who knows their secrets, happiness and sufferings.

The charm of a voice that can bring tears or lead to daydreaming, and the talent to write about all the stories involving a heart using simple lyrics from soul and blues were enough to achieve fame in a blink. "Sometimes I take a minute to think about everything that happened to me... I am living a dream... I never wanted anything else besides singing and writing," she said in one of her rare interviews to the international press.

Cloudy Days
Even tough she had an extraordinary voice, the path to fame was full of cloudy days.

Daughter of Alfred Carey, a black man from Venezuela, aeronautic engineer, and Patricia Carey, a white Irish woman who used to sing Operas in New York, she had her roots torn between her Latin American sparkle and the American Dream. She is, sensually and spiritually, the perfect mix to a world that is in need of "good girls."

"I grew up alone, because my mother was always working." She started singing at the age of four in the quietness of home to break the silence. First, it was a need to express herself. Then came the dream to touch the souls of everyone with her melodic voice. "I didn't have to rebel against anything because nothing was restricting me."

With her abilities and the right environment, the only thing missing was to grow up.

She became a disciplined teenager, independent and introverted, inside a careless and empty home. At 13, after moving a lot because of her mother's work, she started writing songs. Maybe because of that it's frequent on her songs the idea of a hero inside of us who take us places where no one has been before.

Prince in a limousine
She was 18, working as a stewardess and background singer with dreams of fame when, more by coincidence than anything else, met her patron and love. Since she was part of Brenda K. Starr's band, she was able to go to a party where she was introduced to Tommy Mottola, president of CBS Records.

The party was the background live in big style the story of a modern Cinderella. Mariah didn't left behind a crystal shoe for a prince to run after the owner. A cassette tape was the magical object. When they met, she left it with him. On his way home, he listened to it. He was blown away. Ordered the limousine to return. He wanted to see her immediately. Tommy liked Mariah so much he brought her to the altar. Today he is the chief of Sony Music and she is the spoiled singer of the company.

Things were not going to be easy. Their personal and working relationship generates controversies. Some accuse her of using him to be the star of the recording company. Why did doubt appear? Simple: he is 20 years her senior.

"We are really beyond the age difference. We complement each other in that aspect. He sings old songs that I don't know to me and I teach him current songs."

For now, they don't think about kids. Mariah doesn't want to leave her children on the hands of a babysitter, to be far from the mother like what happened to her. Probably around 30 it would be the time to "ask for a baby," she says.

Extraordinary talent
Mariah never needed to use her body to find success. She seduces million of people with her voice and her simple and urban charm. "I don't have anything to hide, and because of that, everytime I go up the stage I tell myself: this is me, simply me... and this is all."

Millionaire and famous, centers all the attention of the public on her voice. "Singing is a duty to myself and to all the ones who admire my music. Make them dream is the only way to repay the public who feels joy and sadness when listens to me."

Musical History
• Her first album, Mariah Carey, with the big hit Vision Of Love, and her second one, Emotions, sold more than 9 million copies worldwide.

• In 1991 she was nominated to many Billboard Awards along with established acts like Whitney Houston and Madonna.

• Her other album, Music Box, has songs about all kinds of love: lasting, easy, burning... the love in Mariah is really personal and simple in her lyrics.

• In 1992 Mariah made her live debut on MTV and her show was one of the most popular. Her version of I'll Be There was nominated to the Grammy Awards.

• In 1995 she started her first world tour. "I can't wait any longer, I want to have the opportunity to meet everyone who supported me through the years."



Scans: Narmer | Translation: Joao