It's hard to believe, but your magazine did it again. The best selling female artist of '90's, Mariah Carey, the super diva took her place in the list of the stars who couldn't run away from Blue Jean's questions. With Carey, we talked about her latest album "Number Ones", her career and her private life. By Ergün Arsal

There's no need for much discussion. They're right when they say she is "talented", or that she is the "beauty of the world", or that she is "spoiled" .. But, there's only one truth that everybody has to agree with: "She's a phenomenon!" It's so exciting to hear the voice (even on the phone) of the woman who has been #1 more than any other R&B artist and whose albums have been bought by 100 million people in the world. I wait for the telephone to ring by looking at the huge poster of hers that we put on a strategical point of the wall of Tolga's room. And after waiting for a while, we finally get to talking.

Ergün Arsal: Hi Mariah, you're almost the best selling artist of the last decade. For you, what was the thing that kept you at the top during the 90's?
Mariah Carey: It's hard to answer this question. I guess, I have this incredible excitement of singing inside me. I'm always trying to be in touch with my fans and trying to be close to them. I love making music. So, I never lose the passion that I have.

EA: You shared the same stage with Aretha Franklin, Celine Dion, Gloria Estefan and Shania Twain on the concert for VH1. Which one of them impressed you most that night?
MC: Definitely Aretha Franklin. She's an artist who will never be forgotten. The whole world respects her, she has become an idol for all of us. I felt so honored to be able to have an opportunity to share the same stage with her.

EA: One of the things that everybody wonders about you is how you manage to keep your voice in such form...
MC: Maybe it's gonna sound simple, but sleeping is the most important thing to keep the voice strong. So, I try to sleep as much as I can and rest my voice. (Besides, she said she also drinks something, but unfortunately we couldn't understand what it was). Anyway, there isnt much else a singer can do to protect his/her voice.

EA: While most artists release compilation albums that include only one or two #1 songs , you released an album that contains only your "number one" songs. What can you say about the pressure that always being at the top has created on you, or the way it motivated you?
MC: Firstly, I must say "Number Ones" is an album that I released to thank my fans who bought my records during these years. This is not a "Greatest Hits" album or something. Because some of my songs had more opprtunity to be more popular than the others. So, thinking that I will not be able to release a compilation album that includes all of them, I decided to use the ones that became "number one" hits. That was the best that I could do.

EA: When do you think you’re going to start preparing your new album?
MC: Lately, I'm busy recording songs for a movie in which I'm also gonna star in. I hope it is gonna come out the best way it can be. We're writing new songs together with Dianne Warren. Actually, this is the only thing I will ocus on in this short period.

EA: When will you start recording the songs? Can you give us some clues about them?
MC: We’ve already started. At this moment, it would be better if I say nothing more about the songs, because we're actually in the middle of the recording. But, as I said before, all these things have to be appropriate for the soundtrack and also for the movie consequently.

EA: As a singer who has had all sorts of success in the music business, are you happy in your private life?
MC: Like all people, sometimes I'm happy and sometimes I’m not. I'm an artist, so, my private life is being directly effected by what I experience on my music career. You might understand how hard it is to live such a life, and sometimes it can be really tiring.

EA: Do you think there is any difference between "the ordinary" Mariah and "the star" Mariah? Do you sometimes wish you had a different life?
MC: I don’t think there’re much differences between my ordinary and my star life. This is me. I'm trying to the best I can with what I have, and I'm trying to be happy that way.

EA: After getting divorced, you’ve come across as a more free and a sexier woman. How did this change happen?
MC: Actually, I always was a free person. But I should admit I had more chances to show this side of me after getting divorced from my husband.

EA: As you know, a short time ago Lauryn Hill was on the cover of the Time magazine, and she also took many Grammy's home. Do you think this could mean that a new diva generation is coming?
MC: What should be known here is that there are always new names coming out, and there are always new generations coming after. But, the real important thing is to be able to exist, be remembered forever. I think importance of an artist should be measured with his/her permanence, and only time can show that.

EA: Which artists do you most listen to nowadays?
MC: I've been listening to Lauryn Hill and enjoying her music lot. I also listen to Jay Z, Aaliyah and Brandy. Actually, I'm not sure exactly; there are lots of things I'm listening to... But, no matter what, the only one who will always be my favorite is Stevie Wonder.

EA: "When You Believe"; the song you've recorded with Whitney Houston for the animated movie"Prince Of Egypt" got nominated for an Oscar. Do you think it is strong enough to get the award?
MC: I actually don't know if it is going to win the award or not. We just need to wait and see. But, you can be sure I'm so excited about it. I'm gonna be performing the song with Whitney that night.

EA: What kind of an experience was it to work with Whitney?
MC: It absolutely was great. I think Whitney is an amazing person and also a rare talent. It was so nice to sing on the same song with her.

EA: Lately many celebrities in America are into mystic beliefs influenced by Eastern cultures and traditions.. What are your thoughts on this?
MC: I think everyone is free to believe in what they want to and it's not right for me to talk about this. I have a spiritual side in me, but I guess it would be better if I keep that to myself.

EA: What do you think is your best album? And why?
MC: I think my best album is "Butterfly", the latest one I mean. I think this album was the most personal one of all the albums I've done yet. But, I don't know how "personal" the next one’s gonna be. I'm still working on the soundtrack and it has a similar content.

EA: Are you pleased with the way American music industry is going? Electronic layers and rap gradually started to dominate R&B. Are you closer to the classic style of soul?
MC: I enjoy them both and I believe in the necessity of both. But, of course my music is closer to the classic style. Time to time I make collaborations with hip-hop producers though.

EA: What're your opinions on the "remix" culture which has been one of the most popular trends since the mid 90's?
MC: I have to be interested in it as almost all my songs are being remixed. I've also worked with so many well known producers like David Morales, Jermaine Dupri...I feel great about it.

EA: You're one of the most popular artists in Turkey. Would you be happy to come here someday and get together with your Turkish fans?
MC: I would be happy. I'm not saying this just to say it but I really would be so happy. But, unfortunately I've never had a chance for to make this happen yet.

EA: Thank you Mariah. It was a pleasure and an honor to talk to you.
MC: Not at all, thank you too.


Scans & Translation: MariahTurkiye.net