Mariah Carey is finally saying what many fans have suspected for years — her ex-husband, music mogul Tommy Mottola, tried to stifle her creativity and keep her from embracing her R&B roots.
In a revealing new interview with Harper’s Bazaar UK, the pop diva didn’t hold back when discussing her early career and the behind-the-scenes tension that defined her controversial marriage to the former Columbia Records executive.
“I wanted to do more R&B, more urban music, and any time I would bring that up, it would get shot down,” Carey shared.
Mottola Tried to Control Her Sound — And Her Life
At the time, Carey was one of Columbia’s biggest stars, but behind closed doors, she was battling for creative freedom.
Her marriage to Mottola — who was 20 years her senior and had tremendous control over her professional career — became increasingly suffocating.
“It wasn’t that I didn’t like the music I was making,” she explained, “I just felt there was more inside me that I wanted to release.”
This longing to break free from pop expectations and explore R&B came at a personal and professional cost. But in 1997, everything changed.
‘Butterfly’ Was Her Rebirth
That same year, Mariah Carey divorced Tommy Mottola and dropped one of the most iconic albums of her career: Butterfly.
The project — infused with soulful R&B, hip-hop collaborations, and raw emotion — became a symbol of her liberation.
“I felt free for the first time,” she said of that pivotal moment.
Butterfly was not only a sonic departure, but a personal awakening. Fans embraced the new Mariah — unfiltered, unchained, and unapologetically herself.
Nearly 30 Years Later, She’s Still Healing
Despite moving on and reaching legendary status in the music world, Carey admits that the scars from that chapter still linger.
“Sometimes I feel angry about that time,” she confessed, “but I think I’ve made peace with it – in any case, I vowed I’d stop talking about it.”
And yet, she’s still processing it — this time, with humor as her shield.
“Humor is my release, and people who know me know that,” Carey said. “I’ll make little jokes about what happened because otherwise I could make every day a sob story.”
“It’s a coping mechanism, but it’s in my nature to laugh.”
Mariah’s Next Era: New Music, Memoir Series, and a Documentary
Now, at 55, Mariah is entering a bold new chapter — reclaiming her story on her own terms.
On September 26, she’ll release her 16th studio album, Here For It All — a title that suggests she’s finally ready to reflect, revisit, and rise above it all.
Alongside her new music, Carey is:
- Producing a scripted TV series based on her best-selling memoir, The Meaning of Mariah Carey
- Dropping a tell-all documentary that will explore the highs and lows of her remarkable journey
From chart-topping pop princess to R&B trailblazer and survivor, Carey continues to inspire fans by owning her narrative and rewriting the rules.
The Music Industry Tried to Box Her In — But She Broke Free
Mariah Carey’s early years in the spotlight were shaped by pressure to conform. But thanks to her resilience, she pushed past the limitations imposed on her by the industry—and her ex-husband.
Now, she’s louder, freer, and more confident than ever.
“You have to laugh so you don’t cry,” Carey says. And somehow, she’s turned both into pure gold.
What’s Next for the Queen of High Notes?
With her voice stronger than ever, new music on the way, and a raw, revealing documentary in the works, Mariah Carey is proving she’s still here for it all.
Join the Conversation:
🎶 Are you excited for Mariah’s new R&B album and her memoir series?
💬 Did Tommy Mottola hold her back creatively?
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