Los Angeles.- Mariah Carey relishes the fact that she has become culturally synonymous with Christmas, thanks in part to the longevity of her iconic song “All I Want for Christmas Is You” and its ubiquity every year when the holidays roll around.
But the Grammy winner admits she was initially unsure about making a Christmas album when her label approached her. “I was a little apprehensive,” she recalls, reflecting on her album, “Merry Christmas,” which turns 30 this month.
Ahead of her appearance at Sunday’s American Music Awards and an upcoming holiday tour that begins in November, Carey chatted with The Associated Press about the advice she would give to young artists navigating fame and the use of her song, “Always.” Be My Baby,” in Ari Aster’s 2023 horror comedy “Beau Is Afraid.”
Responses have been edited for clarity and brevity.
AP: “The Emancipation of Mimi” is about to turn 20 years old, what are your reflections on the legacy of this album?
TORTOISESHELL: I think “The Emancipation of Mimi” is one of my albums where there were different boundaries that were pushed aside and I was very happy about that because I needed to come back, apparently. And so, it was a comeback. It’s one of my favorite albums. And celebrating it this year and this celebration of “Mimi” was so fun because I never get to do those songs. I never do them. And this time I did it.
AP: Did you feel a certain artistic freedom and empowerment that maybe you hadn’t had before with this album?
TORTOISESHELL: Yes, I feel like people were ready to hug me again. And, you know, how did I feel about it? I mean, I feel like the “Charmbracelet” album was also a very good album, but not everyone knew that album. So, you know, when “We Belong Together” came out after “It’s Like That,” it didn’t do as well, but it still did pretty well.
AP: “It’s Like That” is a great song.
TORTOISESHELL: It’s a good song. And I love playing her. You know, I go through stages with these albums. It’s interesting.
AP: Your first Christmas album, “Merry Christmas,” turns 30 this month. Obviously, it was a formative album for you and your career. Do you remember anything from its beginnings?
TORTOISESHELL: It was the record company saying, “You should do a Christmas album.” And I thought, “I don’t know if I should do it at this juncture.” Because, you know, I was really young and just starting out and I felt like people make Christmas albums later in their lives. But now people have started doing them whenever, even at the peak of their career. So, I mean, how was I feeling? I was a little apprehensive and then I thought, “I love this.” And I decorated the studio and had the best time possible.
AP: Chappell Roan has made headlines for speaking out about how he is dealing with sudden fame. As someone who has been in the public eye for so long, do you have any advice for young artists?
TORTOISESHELL: Well, I’ve been through my share of dramas and it’s not fun because you grow up thinking, “I want to be famous.” I mean, really with me, it was always, “I want to be a singer. “I want to write songs.” But “I want to be famous” was there. I feel like it was probably because I didn’t feel like I was good enough on my own because of the things I went through growing up. And that’s not a good way to feel, you know?
But my advice would be to do everything you can to enter this industry with a love for your talent or what is truly real to you. If it’s like, “I want to be famous. I want to go with those people, whoever they are, the famous people,” then it’s probably not the best idea.
AP: Have you seen Ari Aster’s “Beau Is Afraid” with Joaquin Phoenix?
TORTOISESHELL: Yes. I had to approve that. I thought it was interesting the way they used my song, “Always Be My Baby.” That was interesting. I mean, it didn’t really match the movie, but, you know, I was just nervous saying, “You know, okay, okay.” It’s very different. I mean, I wasn’t reluctant, but I thought, “This is something very different from what I’ve done before.”
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