• Faith: Christian
• Career: Musician
• Birthday:  March 27, 1969

Mariah Carey is an iconic singer, songwriter, actress, and record producer. She’s known for her five-octave vocal range, signature whistle register use, and melismatic singing style. Carey is famous for her popular holiday music, especially “All I Want For Christmas Is You,” and has been dubbed the “Queen of Christmas.” She’s the first artist to have five singles reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100.

Mariah Carey was born on March 27, 1969, in Huntington, New York, to parents Patricia Hickey, an Irish-American opera singer and vocal coach, and Alfred Roy Carey, an African-American and Afro-Venezuelan aeronautical engineer. Growing up, Carey faced challenges due to her mixed heritage, experiencing racial tension and discrimination. Her parents' interracial marriage was not widely accepted, and the family often faced hostility from their community.,/p>

Despite these difficulties, Carey's mother nurtured her musical talents from a young age. Patricia recognized her daughter's exceptional vocal abilities and began training her in classical opera, laying the foundation for Carey's future success. Mariah's childhood was marked by a love for music, and she found solace in singing, often using it as an escape from the turmoil in her personal life.

Carey's parents divorced when she was just three years old, leading to a fractured family dynamic. She was primarily raised by her mother, who struggled financially to provide for her children. The instability in her home life and the challenges of growing up in a biracial household shaped Mariah's resilience and determination to succeed.

Mariah Carey's journey to fame began when she moved to New York City as a teenager to pursue a career in music. She worked various jobs, including waitressing, while tirelessly working on her music and trying to break into the industry. Her big break came in 1988 when she met Tommy Mottola, then head of Columbia Records, at a party. Mottola was immediately impressed by Carey's demo tape, and he signed her to Columbia Records.

In 1990, Mariah Carey released her self-titled debut album, which was an instant success. The album produced four number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100, including "Vision of Love," "Love Takes Time," "Someday," and "I Don't Wanna Cry." Her powerful voice, combined with her ability to write and produce her own music, set her apart from other artists of the time.

Carey's career continued to soar throughout the 1990s, with the release of albums such as "Emotions" (1991), "Music Box" (1993), and "Daydream" (1995). Each album produced chart-topping hits and solidified her status as one of the best-selling female artists of the decade. Her 1994 holiday album, "Merry Christmas," featured the now-classic hit "All I Want for Christmas Is You," which has become a holiday staple and a perennial favorite.

In 1997, Carey released the critically acclaimed album "Butterfly," which marked a turning point in her career. The album showcased a more personal and introspective side of the singer, with songs that delved into her personal struggles and experiences. "Butterfly" also signaled a shift in her musical style, incorporating elements of hip-hop and R&B, which broadened her appeal to a wider audience.

Mariah Carey's personal life has often been the subject of media scrutiny, particularly her high-profile marriages and relationships. In 1993, she married Tommy Mottola, the man who had played a pivotal role in launching her career. However, their marriage was far from idyllic. Carey later described the relationship as controlling and stifling, with Mottola exerting a significant amount of control over her career and personal life. The couple divorced in 1998, with Carey citing the need to regain control over her life and career.

Following her divorce, Carey experienced a highly publicized emotional and physical breakdown in 2001, leading to a temporary decline in her career. However, she made a triumphant comeback in 2005 with the release of her album "The Emancipation of Mimi," which was both a critical and commercial success. The album featured the hit single "We Belong Together," which spent 14 weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, reaffirming Carey's status as a pop superstar.

In 2008, Carey married actor and comedian Nick Cannon in a private ceremony in the Bahamas. The couple welcomed twins, Moroccan and Monroe, in 2011. Carey has often spoken about the joy and fulfillment that motherhood has brought her, describing her children as the "light of her life." However, her marriage to Cannon was not without its challenges, and the couple divorced in 2016. Despite their separation, Carey and Cannon have maintained an amicable relationship and co-parent their children.

Is Mariah Carey religious?

Mariah Carey is a Christian whose first experience with God came after a family argument. In her memoir, “The Meaning of Mariah Carey,” she wrote, “I believe a deep faith was awakened to me that day. I understood, on a soul level, that no matter what happened to me or around me, something lived inside me that I could always call on. I had something that would guide me through any storm.”

Carey's faith has also influenced her music. In her 1999 album "Rainbow," she included the song "Petals," which reflects her spiritual journey and the pain she has endured in her life. The lyrics of the song speak to her feelings of abandonment and betrayal, as well as her belief in the healing power of faith and forgiveness.

In interviews, Carey has often expressed her gratitude to God for her success and the opportunities she has been given. She has described herself as a "very spiritual person" and has credited her faith with helping her maintain a sense of perspective and humility amidst the pressures of fame.