From Faux Fur to Real Silk: Mariah Carey, A Love Story

Wednesday, January 27th, 2010

By Summer Stanley.

She’s the ultimate diva, the reigning queen of the happily-ever-after love song, Eminem’s recent arch-nemesis, cougar, frequenter of the A-town clubs, close friend of our own artist, Jermaine Dupri. Though her movie, Glitter, flopped, her far less glamorous performance as a social worker in Precious is now raking in critical acclaim. Like the jewels ornamenting her flossy frocks, Mariah Carey just keeps getting better with time.

On top of the diamonds and gold, Mariah Carey is flanked in many of her music videos by what can be viewed as a current who’s who of hip hop’s biggest players. A legend amongst legends, Mariah has shared the spotlight with the likes of Snoop Dogg, Pharrel, Bustah Rhymes, T.I., and Gucci Mane. And that’s just naming a few.

Certainly she is one of the foremost female vocalists of our time, showcasing an unprecedented range and strength. Her pitch perfect high notes are the eighth natural wonder.

But to young girls far and wide, Mariah will always be Butterfly. Fantasy. Always Be My Baby. The Emancipation of Mimi. She’s the key to unlocking one’s inner princess, and perfect excuse to sing into a hairbrush late at night in front of the mirror. Wallowing wouldn’t be nearly so sweet without Mariah Carey cooing from the car stereo, volume turned all the way up, windows rolled all the way down.

Wednesday night at the Fox Mariah Carey simultaneously lives up to the woman behind the myth as well as my pre-teen nostalgia when she floats down a billowing purple backdrop on a swing, holding a microphone bedazzled in crystals. She also has a matching bedazzled microphone stand, that throughout the show would never be where it was supposed to be, much to Mariah’s oft-expressed chagrin. At one point she totes the sparkling stand across the stage herself, jokingly asking the crowd, “Am I the only one working tonight?”

It is precisely this combination of a prima donna attitude and accessibility to her fans that has endeared Mariah to single ladies for so long with hits such as “Shake It Off,” “It’s A Wrap,” and as of late, “Obsessed.” Of course, she performs all three at the show, but when “Obsessed” plays, seemingly everyone in the building pipes up for “You’re a Mom and Pop / I’m a corporation / I’m a press conference / You’re a conversation.”

The posh Fox Theatre is a befitting venue for the over-the-top performer. Mariah makes the most of its luxurious stage, resplendent with her band, backup singers, beautiful shirtless male dancers, gorgeous ballerinas, and one performance that memorialized the recent tragedy in Haiti. For that particular number, Mariah dedicates “Angels Cry” to the victims of the 7.0 earthquake, as two trapeze artists writhe around a rope in a heartwrenchingly ethereal depiction. The mood is mournful, and many tear-streaked faces emerge under the soft spotlights.

Special guest performers include Jermaine Dupri, emerging shortly after Mariah’s grand descent, who opens the show with “Shake It Off.” Trey Lorenz later pays tribute, along with Mariah, to Michael Jackson’s “Summertime,” immediately catapulting those few audience members left in their seats to their feet. R.I.P. M. J.

In what many of those present would later discuss as a “perfect finale,” Mariah sings “Hero.” And what was the grand Fox Theatre suddenly becomes my bedroom, I’m in front of my mirror, and Mariah is singing to me. Then the lights go up, and I’m not 15 anymore, and I file out of the ritzy digs alongside an entire crowd who has just been reminded that they are their own heroes. And I realize that the reason we love Mariah so much is that she reminds us to love ourselves, whether encouraging us to “Make It Happen” or “like the Calgon commercial. . . get up outta here and go somewhere.”

We love you Mimi!