Mariah Carey on 'Precious': The director wanted me to look homely
By Melissa Hunter
Parade.com recently chatted with Mariah Carey about her big, busy year. From playing a pivotal role in the anticipated emotional drama "Precious" (think "Glitter," except the exact opposite) to her upcoming album, there's quite a bit to talk about. Click through to read quotes from the interview, then visit Parade's Web site for the complete feature.
On her attachment to the material and being the obvious second choice to Helen Mirren:
"I had read the book by Sapphire a few times and it really changed my life. It's very strong and powerful. And I communicated that to Lee Daniels, the director, when he was considering me for the role after Helen Mirren dropped out. So it was just serendipitous that I ended up being a part of the movie since I cared about it so much."
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![On the world preparing to see her completely bare(-faced):They totally changed me. I didn't want to look in the mirror. It was beyond dressing down because [director] Lee Daniels loved to torture me. He really wanted me to not just look plain, he wanted me to look homely. That was his goal. He wanted a mustache and an under the eye thing and the bad hair. Now I see why he wanted it because people didn't recognize me and he didn't want me to take people out of the movie because they were seeing Mariah Carey.Nick Cannon: How Can I Not Fall in Love with Mariah?](http://static.wonderwall.com/Photos/Original/16740_Original.jpg)
On the world preparing to see her completely bare(-faced):
"They totally changed me. I didn't want to look in the mirror. It was beyond dressing down because [director] Lee Daniels loved to torture me. He really wanted me to not just look plain, he wanted me to look homely. That was his goal. He wanted a mustache and an under the eye thing and the bad hair. Now I see why he wanted it because people didn't recognize me and he didn't want me to take people out of the movie because they were seeing Mariah Carey."
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On her connection with the film in relation to her music:
"There are a lot of girls that I see at my shows that may fit the description of what people might think a 'Precious' girl is. When I sing certain songs, you really see that it brings out emotions in them. I see tears of gratitude or joy because they relate to the message. So that's why I continue to do songs that I feel will be uplifting."
See exclusive photos of Mariah Carey
On readying ourselves for a new track list of hit singles:
"I am really a perfectionist when it comes to music. I've always been the type of person that would hear a thousand good things and one negative thing and focus on that negative thing. But this album I'm loving because I took chances. I did a lot of different interludes. I did a lot of things that are different for me. And in terms of just living with an album, when I listen to it now, this is one of those ones where everyday I notice something different. I really love this album."
On believing in herself (and her past life as a motivational speaker):
"I have always been a firm believer in the fact that if you don't believe in yourself, no one else is going to believe in you. No matter what happens, no matter who tries to keep you down, you just have to keep on going."
On being a double threat (triple if you count crash dieting a talent):
"I used to study acting as a little girl. I was in a lot of different theater workshops and things. Now I'm trying to do my best to be the best actress and the best artist I can be. I'm pursuing things that I want to do a little bit more. I guess the main thing is that acting is going be a creative outlet that allows me to express myself in another way aside from my music because I'm loving it. But the music is always where my heart is."
On living well-beyond her years, even as a kindergartener:
"I joined that club when I was like five-years-old. My mother used to say I was five going on 20. She was just like, 'Mariah's already an adult.' I used to sit around the table with all the grown-ups and they'd be smoking and drinking and I would just hang out and pretend I was smoking and drinking, all of those things that I shouldn't have been doing."
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