Mariah Carey Connection

DOWDY, frumpy, drab - they’re not words we’d usually use to describe Mariah Carey.

But the self-proclaimed pop diva is showing a new side to herself, playing a harried social worker in the acclaimed independent movie Precious.

“I had to lose all vanity and change my inside layers of who I am to become that strong social worker,” Carey says of playing welfare officer Mrs Weiss in the film.

“I always wanted to be involved in independent films and, through this character, I really experienced losing myself and could just be an actress,” she says.

“It’s been such a different ride and I’m sure it’ll change people’s lives in some sort of way, and it’ll help others.”

Carey’s previous film work - most notably the universally panned Glitter - did little to increase her credibility stakes as an actress.

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But Precious, which premiered in Sydney on Thursday, is winning her much acclaim, both critically and publicly.

She won the breakthrough actress award at the recent Palm Springs International Film Festival, although her award was slightly overshadowed by her giggly acceptance speech where she awkwardly admitted to being somewhat “difficult”.

Directed by Lee Daniels, Precious is set in the Harlem district of New York, in 1987, and is adapted from American poet Sapphire’s novel, Push.

It tells the hellish story of “Precious” Jones (Gabourey Sidibe), who is not only obese and illiterate, but is the victim of child abuse and pregnant with her second child at the age of 16.

Carey’s character is far from the glamorous singer we’re used to seeing on the red carpet or in her video clips.

It’s even further from the woman who earned herself a reputation for being one of the world’s greatest divas who once admitted to sleeping with 20 humidifiers in her bedroom.

The 40-year-old is almost unrecognisable, sporting a few extra kilos, a lank brown hairdo, wearing an unflattering, ankle-length skirt and drab blouse in order to play the social worker.

“I related to the character on so many levels,” she says.

“I really feel it takes you to a different level.

“I had to convert both internally and externally.

“She (Mrs Weiss) is a strong and tough character.”

On the home front, Carey says she couldn’t be happier.

Less than two years after marrying 29-year-old actor, TV presenter and singer Nick Cannon, Carey says the couple are planning on having children.

“That’s the whole purpose of getting married,” she says.

“I want my children to have a beautiful and healthy childhood and to have the best education possible.

“My parents got divorced when I was only three years old and, to tell you the truth, I didn’t have a normal childhood.

“But I know that Nick will be a great and loving father. I’ve found the right person for it.”

While her film career is blossoming, Carey is also pushing forward with her music.

Having sold more than 160 million albums, singles and DVDs worldwide, and securing countless awards, Carey remains at the very top of her game.

The multiple Grammy Award winner’s next project is Angels Advocate, an album of songs taken from her Memoirs Of An Imperfect Angel album, with high-profile duet partners adding their touch to the existing tracks.

She’s releasing two singles at the same time: Angels Cry and Up Out Of My Face.

“I am sort of a control freak, so I need to live the whole process,” she explains.

“I get inspired by everything that surrounds me or is happening at that moment.

“It could be just a place such as Puerto Rico or being on a plane. I just let everything flow, you know.”

Precious opens nationally on Thursday.

Source: The Sunday Telegraph