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May 30, 2002 - Anonymous writes "Celebrity Insider reports "Mariah Carey was spotted in Las Vegas at VH1's Divas Live rehearsal session. According to a spokesperson for the music station, Carey attended at Whitney Houston's invite. She was seen talking to Houston and Mary J. Blige in the Lounge." Read more.

May 27, 2002 - Tom Harrison of The Vancouver Province gave his thoughts on "the sorry state of Mariah Carey" and even used popdirt.com's poll asking which pop star's music you'd like wiped off the face of the Earth. Harrison writes, "Sometimes, we do feel some sympathy for the person who discovers that fame isn't as glamorous as it was thought to be. As a rule, we at least are fascinated by this discovery. So few of us achieve fame on any level that it is reassuring to be reminded yet again that material success can't buy happiness." Read more.

May 27, 2002 - Monday's New York Post blind item asks, "Which superdiva singer with a huge recording contract is starting to feel the pinch of her fabulous lifestyle? With personal problems cutting into her income, she's laid off some staffers."

May 26, 2002 - According to a posting from DanTheMans22 on Mariah Carey's official website forum: "I was this concert called HFStival with a lot of rock bands and stuff and the main act at the end was Eminem and he was talking to some girl in the audience telling her that he thinks she's pretty etc, etc. and then he was like but I'm going to tell it to you like I did Mariah Carey.... then he said "fu** you bitch you make me ill." And then started a song. He seems to have some bitter obsession with Mariah Carey now."

May 25, 2002 - R&B Quarterly reports that Mariah Carey has just finished recording her album and is now selecting the tracks for the LP. It also reorts that Mariah has completed a track with her new labelmate Ludacris. The article goes on to say that Mariah is also working with "Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Babyface, Jermaine Dupri, and Trackmasters among the many names of producers on the divas first LP with the label. Mariah is definately on the road to success with her new album as well as new movie "Wisegirls" with Mira Sorvino on cable later this year."

May 22, 2002 - Brian Burns of Hitmakersmagazine.com chatted with veteran promotion guru Jerry Blair, who has worked worked with Mariah in the past and will be heading Mariah's promotional team at Island Def Jam. Commenting on the sound Mariah will employ on her new music, Blair said, "You're going to get the classic Mariah in that voice. But what you're also going to get is being on the forefront of where music goes to and she certainly has been on the forefront in so many ways before. It's really going to be a record that will appeal to all her huge fan base." Read more.

May 21, 2002 - Launch.com reports that Mariah Carey has begun working with the producers of Murder Inc. (a subsidiary of the Island Def Jam music group) Ja Rule, recently explained how he felt about Mariah joining the label "Mariah's cool. Mariah's cool. She's working with the Murder Inc. family right now. Holla," he said. 
When Launch asked Ashanti if she was going to work on material with Mariah she said she was not sure. "I don't think so. She's working with our producers in Murder Inc. I don't think I'll be doing anything with her... yet. Would love to."

May 20, 2002 - Cindy Adams of the New York Post reports Mariah Carey aggressively pursued a film role with a movie producer. While the unnamed producer was a big fan of Mariah, but reluctantly turned down the request. He did offer to do a music video for her, but Mariah had no interest in that. Read more.

May 20, 2002 - Mariah Carey fans can get their own shoes modeled after the star. The Superstarz - Mariah women's glitter and rhinestone platform sneaker goes for $42.00. The shoe comes in White Canvas/Clear Stones, Pink Canvas/Hot Pink Stones, Black Canvas/Red Stones, Red Canvas/Red Stones, and Navy Denim/Light Blue Stones. Check it out here.

May 17, 2002 - FHM has listed their 100 Sexiest Music Videos of all time. Amongst those on the list are Kylie Minogue, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Geri Halliwell, Madonna, Mariah Carey, and Toni Basil. Check out and watch all of the videos here.

May 17, 2002 - Mariah Carey made #80 on the list of FHM's Sexiest Women in the World, after having a tough 2001. No matter how hard things got for the singer, she insists, "I can't complain. I asked for this fame, and i got it - and this is what comes along with it. Understandably, no-one is out there going 'Oh, poor Mariah'."

May 17, 2002 - Flo Anthony and the DJ's at K104 chatted about how Flo ran into Jimmy Jam on Wednesday and she had a lot to say about Mariah Carey. He said she was with them in Minneapolis this weekend where they were recording. Jimmy said Mariah's doing much better at not overworking this time, telling them she needs sleep at 3-4 am, whereas before she'd want to continue working. You can listen to the Mariah portion about 3 1/2 minutes into the audio clip here. (it's only up a few more hours).

May 15, 2002 - MerryA69 writes "I found this, it is post at Mariah Carey's site: MariahCarey.com. Q: What is Mariah doing right now? A: Mariah is in the city of Minneapolis and at the Jam and Lewis website they made a short update about that:
Mariah - 5/13/02 New Songs 
Mariah Carey at Flyte Tyme studios writing, recording & producing new material with Jam & Lewis, and "Big Jim" Wright, for her forthcoming Island/Def Jam debut album. Alex Richbourgh handling midi & drum programming and protools recording."

May 13, 2002 - Legendary producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis' official website at Flyte Tyme congratulated Mariah Carey on her new deal with Island/Def Jam and talked about working with the singer on her first album with her new label. The site proclaims, "Mariah Carey's recent signing to Island/Def Jam comes as work continues on her upcoming album! The singer has already worked with collaborators such as, Jermaine Dupri, 7 Aurelius, DJ Quik, and of course Jam & Lewis! no release date has been set for the new project, but Island/Def Jam President Lyor Cohen said expect a new album "by the end of the year, or early next"! Jam & Lewis say congrats to Mariah on the new deal, and wish her all the best!"

May 13, 2002 - Following the signing of Mariah Carey, Def Jam spokesman Peter LoFrumento sounded optimistic of a spectacular comeback for the pop diva. LoFrumento tells AFP's Marc Lavine, "This is a major comeback for Mariah and its probably going to be the music comeback story of the entire year," adding "What Mariah has done is she has gone from being where she was last year to being at the top of her game again and we are all very excited about it." Read more.

May 12, 2002 - The entire Eminem album leaked to the internet hours ago and two of the tracks from 'The Eminem Show' make references to Mariah Carey. On 'When the Music Stops', Eminem raps, "I came way too far in the game to turn and walk away and not say what I got to say what the fu** you take me for, a joke? You smoking crack? Before I do that I beg Mariah to take me back." Then, on 'Superman', Eminem raps, "Am I too nice too buy you ice? B*tch if you died, wouldn't buy you life. Whatcha tryin to be? My new wife? What, you Mariah? Fly through twice. But I know one thing tho--bitches, they come and go."

May 10, 2002 - The New York Daily News reports Mariah Carey's new record deal with Universal Music Group is reportedly a three album deal with will land her $7 million to $8 million per album. Carey said of the chance to hook up with Universal chief Doug Morris: "I couldn't be happier. Doug is such a great leader." Read more.

May 10, 2002 - The Hollywood Reporter chatted with Mariah Carey after she signed on with Universal Music Group's Island Def Jam unit, in a deal that gives Carey her own label. Talking about the decision to go with Universal, Carey said, "My gut has always been to go with Universal, even before I did the (Virgin) deal. I learned a big lesson: You've got to go with the people that really know what they are doing." As for whether she was glad the Virgin Records deal had ended, Carey spouted, "That's the understatement of the day." Read more.

May 10, 2002 - Following her interview with Mariah Carey on the 20/20 'Surviving the Glare', Barbara Walters wrote to the show's fans today addressing the interview and her new deal with Universal Music Group. Walters wrote, "Mariah had a tough year, as you probably know, on the personal and professional fronts. But she proved a resilient survivor, making a groundbreaking arrangement with Universal that will involve not only records, but also movies, the Internet and publishing. If you saw the program, you also heard her say, 'No matter what happens, I can pull through it. And that's a message I've tried to put into my songs.' That's what I call a superstar attitude!"

May 9, 2002 - Barbara Walters talked about her special 'Surviving the Glare' that airs tonight on ABC (9:30 EST) where she'll be interviewing Mariah Carey. Walters just provided hints though as if she wasn't allowed to advertise (Perhaps that was agreed upon before the interview - the TV commercial advertising the show makes no mention of Mariah either.) that Mariah was on the 20/20 special. Walters did talk about Kato Kaelin and played a clip of the Macauley Culkin interview, where he addressed his close friendship to Michael Jackson around the age of 11. Check out more on the special here.

May 9, 2002 - The Universal Music Group confirmed earlier reports today that they've signed Mariah Carey to a deal under their the Island/Def Jam Music Group, which will distribute the music released by Carey's yet-to-be-named company. Mariah said of the deal, "I'm incredibly happy. It's a tremendous and unprecedented opportunity to be working in tandem with [Universal Music Group Chairman/CEO] Doug [Morris], [Island/Def Jam President/CEO] Lyor [Cohen] and [Interscope Geffen A&M Chairman] Jimmy [Iovine], and to have the benefit of their powerful international forces led by [Universal Music International Chairman] Jorgen Larsen. They have collectively helped redefine pop music, and I am excited to be part of their family." Read more.

May 9, 2002 - HitsDailyDouble.com reports Mariah Carey has signed on with Lyor Cohen at Island Def Jam in a deal with will have Carey given her own label under the IDJ banner. Carey had also been courted by Clive Davis’ J Records and Sylvia Rhone at Elektra but chose to go with Cohen, who's label is the marketshare leader so far this year. Read more. [Requires registration]

May 4, 2002 - After an incredible amount of voting and comments the last few days, which has helped bring popdirt.com's server to its knees during peak hours (@!%#@), music fans have voted Mariah Carey as the one pop act they'd want to vote off the face of the earth, though it is apparent cheating was rampant on this poll.

May 4, 2002 - After news that Elvis Costello had reportedly referred to Mariah Carey as his "labelmate", Foxnews.com's Roger Friedman quizzed an insider with Mariah who insisted "No! No decision has been made."

May 4, 2002 - The Guardian spoke with Universal chairman Lucian Grainge who addressed how competing label EMI handled the Mariah Carey contract that blew up in their faces. Grainge said, "My opinion is that you need record guys running record companies. They understand the music and the deal and the artist, and they do it week in, week out." Read more.

May 2, 2002 - HitsDailyDouble.com reports according to sources, Mariah Carey is already in the studio recording her next album (of course the most reliable source, Mariah herself, told fans in a voice message over the weekend that she was), which is making potential label sponsors nervous about the creative input issue.

May 1, 2002 - The LA Daily News reports that the Mariah Carey and Mira Sirvino starring 'Wisegirls' may be released straight to video by Lions Gate and skip a theatrical release. Carey had hoped to have the film released in theaters to prove to moviegoers that 'Glitter' was just a fluke and that she could have a future as an actress.

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