Mariah's wild excesses

[I-H-F]

I came across an interesting article in a newspaper at the weekend about Mariah Carey, which I thought I'd share. I do think "you shouldn't believe all you read", but having heard stuff like this before about Mariah (and other artists) and her OTT excesses, this may not be too far from the truth...

She arrived at a hotel in Cannes for the Film Festival, with an entourage of 15, including 3 personal assistants, a masseuse and a dietician. Refused to speak to checkin-in staff (apparently she spends days in silence to save her voice). Her suite decor and room temperature was to be checked before arrival, six humidifiers placed by her bed, refrigerator stocked with only white wine, green olives and almonds.

Booked an entire floor of the hotel, with rooms to house her wardrobe and collection of shoes. Has a personal assistant to follow her with wet wipes to clean her hands after she has touched anything, and to clean anything she may touch. Another assitant has a glass of water with a straw, to be kept just above room temperature to help her voice. This assistant also has to 'monitor her cleavage' (it's not all bad, this job ) and apply modesty tape, if required. In attendance at all times are 5 bodyguards, that form a ring around her when she ventures out. But, best of all...her dog has its own chauffeur-driven Mercedes!...

It dawned on me how very different this behaviour is compared to what we have seen and know about Hayley. I've just seen a photograph from the Glasgow concert thread, which showed Hayley arriving with her musicians for the concert. No bodyguards, no personal assistant, no fuss.

I can understand that someone who has a singing career needs to take care of their voice, and eat and drink sensibly. I can understand that their safety is also a huge priority. I can also understand that preparations for concerts/appearances etc, are to their requests. I know Hayley has certain requests, and preparing for such events are very important for her career, but isn't this a bit much on Mariah's part? Yes, Mariah can afford all these lavish luxuries, but it sounds like she is losing touch with reality. I don't know if Mariah is one for meeting and greeting her fans, but having 5 bodyguards suggests not.

On the contrary, we are fans of a world famous singer, who has her feet firmly on the ground. Hayley will stop for a chat with fans before and after concerts, if she can. I have had the priviledge of meeting Hayley on three occasions, and it's just like meeting up with a friend, and not the world-famous performer she is. I'm sure other members will think the same.

I just wondered if other members had any comments?

[Jillian]

Hi,

Oh yes, stories of Mariah's excesses are the stuff of legends. If you're very interested in these things, you might like the website 'Smoking Gun'. They post a lot of artist's requests for their concert set ups on there.

www.thesmokinggun.com/backstagetour/index.html

Hilarious. I think it all started with Van Halen requesting that all the brown M&Ms be removed! Although that was apparently just put in there so they could tell that the contract had been read the whole way through.

Singer Barry Manilow requested in his rider that his fan club be let in at 11am to decorate his dressing room -- Awww.

The best tour rider of all time is for Iggy Pop. It's worth reading it all the way through if you've got time. It was written by some insane roadie with far too much time on his hands and meant to be a joke. Amongst other things it demands a Bob Hope impersonator and brocolli cut into individual florets and thrown directly into the bin. :rollin

[larryhauck]

Well, it's just another example of just how special Hayley is. In my 70 years I have never seen a performer so readily accessable and gracious as Hayley.
Any volunteer's for Mariah's cleavage taper out there?

Larry

[Jillian]

To be honest, I would have thought that if you were so famous that you couldn't step out the front door without people clamouring for a piece of you, that you'd just want to be left alone.

Although, I do hear that a lot of very famous people become quite dependent on having a lot of people around them at all times. I think it might have something to do with the idea that being alone means the success has stopped??

I think that it's very nice that Hayley can be so accessible. I think it has something to do with the amount of fans wanting to see her is always somewhat manageable. I'd imagine that if she performed to arenas of 13 thousand people or so, things would be much more difficult. Though I'm sure she'd still be at the stage door with her Sharpie or even just to say hello -- even if she couldn't get to everyone.

[grant]

Hello IHF

May 26, 2009 11:19:32 GMT I-H-F said:

It dawned on me how very different this behaviour is compared to what we have seen and know about Hayley. I've just seen a photograph from the Glasgow concert thread, which showed Hayley arriving with her musicians for the concert. No bodyguards, no personal assistant, no fuss.

.... and in charge of her own luggage! Yes, Hayley is very different from the likes of Mariah (whom I wouldn't know if I bumped into her!) but that is what Hayley is all about and has often said that part of the enjoyment of what she does is interacting with fans and public alike.

I've read similar stories about Diana Ross, I think. Didn't she once demand that her dressing room be repainted white and that everything in it must be white also? These so called superstars get paid rediculous amounts of money and for what? Just so they can make more of a nuisance of themselves!

Now, where are my wipers?

Best wishes
Grant

[postscript]

Hi IHF.

What you say about Hayley is of course all true and corroborated by so many different people and different situations. She has the instinct for the personal touch that matters, it's part of who she is.

As for others being out of touch with reality it isn't just media celebs. Evidence is emerging that the bankers responsible for our present economic chaos have likewise completely lost it: treating hotel staff as if they weren't good enough to be seen by them etc. and expecting palatial suites. All quite quite mad!

Peter S.

[comet]

May 26, 2009 13:20:13 GMT grant said:

.... and in charge of her own luggage! Yes, Hayley is very different from the likes of Mariah (whom I wouldn't know if I bumped into her!) but that is what Hayley is all about and has often said that part of the enjoyment of what she does is interacting with fans and public alike.

I've read similar stories about Diana Ross, I think. Didn't she once demand that her dressing room be repainted white and that everything in it must be white also? These so called superstars get paid rediculous amounts of money and for what? Just so they can make more of a nuisance of themselves!

Now, where are my wipers?


Grant

On the subject of Diana Ross,
can't say I blame her for asking that the backstage facilities be painted white. some of them are downright health hazards.

At a concert in Dublin's RDS Diana came down off the stage and danced with various people in the audience including my brother, he has the photos to prove it, which he does at every available opportunity

Diana has had some great songs , Love Hangover is one of my favourites and the Theme from Mahogany (Do you know where you're going to ? )

If you get the impression I like Diana Ross, you would be right !
wow ! she has been on the go singing since 1963. It is so easy to forget about the great performers that have gone before when you are concentrating on the ones that are about now. Now while I have her boxed set in my hand, must play something from it

"Reach out and touch somebody's hand" I know sombody who could sing that song with feeling

[stevemacdonald]

Mariah Carey had a one-in-a-million voice with mass appeal. She was a popular music superstar from the word go. That meant she had a lot to lose if anything went wrong. Performing before tens of thousands of people at a typical gig exposes her to all kinds of potential dangers. She is right to safeguard her livelihood any way she can, even if it makes her appear as the consummate diva.

Hayley has a one-in-a-million voice which appeals to a much narrower audience. She, too, stands to lose if anything goes way wrong -- such as getting sick last year and needing to cancel her tour.

The career vulnerabilities are the same, but the approach is necessarily different. Hayley gets out and meets her fans because she needs to. They are essential to her relatively moderate success. Sadly, this contact can set her up for health issues, but what real choice does she have?

I don't begrudge any successful artist living large or acting prissy in the extreme. It's who they are out of necessity. They have an image to maintain as superstars, and they take extreme risks all the time. We just don't see it from their perspective because we're not in that world.

Rather than label Mariah "wild" or "excessive", let's assume she knows exactly what it takes to be Mariah Carey, superstar. Let's allow her indulgences if they keep her safe and upbeat. Many people are riding that gravy train, and they know that exceptional people have exceptional needs.

[larryhauck]

Hi Steve

I agree that Hayley takes a big chance by shaking hands with so many fans. Especially during the cold and flu seasons. I hope she has an ample supply of GermX or Purell in her handbag. Relative to the bodyguard issue one must realize that the U S is a violent place. Remember JFK, John Lennon, Versace, and others.

Larry

[postscript]

Some very interesting observations Steve.

Peter S.

[nicola]

I agree with whole-heartedly with Steve.

And I know you said about the whole 'Don't believe what you read' but you really shouldn't, especially in cases like these. Mariah may have asked for some outlandish things in her time and papers may have picked up on it. As soon as someone has a reputation for something, the media pick at straws to build up on it. I think what is written may be truth in skeletol form, but do I believe those details? Not really.

And I don't think it's anyone's business even if she does. Unless you're someone employed by her.