Pop superstar Mariah Carey has been accused of playing the diva after making a series of outrageous demands while touring in China.
Concert organizers in China have been stunned by Carey's behavior since she arrived in Shanghai last week -- carrying 60 pieces of luggage and an incredible 350 pairs of shoes, according to American Website the Scoop.
She was whisked off to the city's Hilton hotel by a convoy of eight vehicles -- four carrying her baggage -- and refused the reserved presidential suite, requesting a suite with more feminine wall colors.
Carey then banned journalists from asking personal questions and photographers from taking pictures of her at a press conference.
According to the Shanghai Star newspaper, "The reason, the local organizer said, was that camera flashes and the 'clicking' sound of the shutters would put Carey off."
But the hitmaker's behavior doesn't seem to have deterred eager fans from snapping up tickets to her gigs.
A Chinese media source tells the Scoop, "In spite of her ostentatious and uncooperative attitude to the local media, the tickets for her concert sold out very quickly."
Pop diva Mariah Carey has been voted the worst celebrity autograph writer.
The singer, 34, has been nominated thanks to her habit of refusing to sign pictures of herself she deems "unflattering" and calling her fans "my lambs."
Quoted on gossip Web site the Scoop, the magazine Autograph Collector -- which bestowed the title on Mariah -- snipes, "Mariah is yet another big name who would rather not be bothered.
"Goes so far as to say she won't sign photos because she doesn't like how she looks in them. Can you spell 'v-a-i-n'?"
I have always loved Mariah's voice, but I cannot stand people like her who think they are the centre of the universe. It is revolting, especially in people who are supposed to be role models.
SHE may have pocketed a £26million payoff to leave Virgin records three years ago, but Mariah Carey is struggling to pay for her lavish lifestyle.
'Mariah doesn't have a lot of cash left. She got about £15m after taxes, but went through a lot of it,' a source tells the New York Post. 'She has a hairdresser and make-up artist who she keeps on a regular basis and they cost £4,000 a day.
'She won't leave home without getting her hair and make-up done.'
The singer, who is having her finances reviewed, has a new album out next year. She'll need it.
We'll be honest: Mariah Carey gets on TSG's nerves. Her songs are incredibly banal and her wardrobe would make most strippers blush. As for those backstage requirements, well, who the hell orders Cristal, champagne glasses, and bendy straws? You can take the girl out of Massapequa...
There's nothing more amusing than a B-list star acting like a Queen and issuing ridiculous demands.
This is the position that Mariah Carey has put herself in after news of her recent trip to London.
The singer was due to stay at the Baglioni hotel in Kensington, where her entourage had booked 15 rooms...
However, the hotel had foolishly forgotten to roll out the red carpet flanked by the correct large white candles - at 2.15 in the morning.
This oversight was so appalling to poor Mariah, that she had to suffer the indignity of driving around the block in a cavalcade of limos until everything was in order.
Her aides had rocked up at 2am to check everything was set for her arrival, when they were met with ordinary pavement and lighting.
Clearly this wouldn't do, so hotel staff were summoned to rectify the situation - as Ms Carey will not step on a dirty pavement.
But once the plush red rug was rolled out and the big fat candles were lit, Mariah finally turned up to take residence in one of the 15 rooms she'd booked.
"It's not unheard of for us to rush a red carpet out for a guest," the hotel's operations manager said. "We're used to dealing with high-profile guests and everyone has their own requirements."
Mariah, who flew over to the UK on a private jet, is in the country to promote her latest album.
Back in January she paid £1,500 to have her Jack Russell flown first class from New York to join her in Los Angeles.
At 2.00 am after a long flight, most people would only care about getting to bed as quick as possible. Who cares if the carpet and lighting aren't right? That is one seriously deluded superstar right there. ^
Bless Mariah Carey, she was due to be presented with an award for her outstanding contribution to music at the Capital FM Awards but was over an hour late for the ceremony.
Perhaps it was getting her eleven-strong entourage ready that made her late...
But the event wasn't all about Mariah, other stars who arrived (on time) for the awards bash included Geri Halliwell - looking as good as ever - Natalie Imbruglia and Chris Evans.
Mariah Carey has inadvertently admitted she behaves like a diva -- by slamming an ex-boyfriend for taking her to a diner-style restaurant.
The pop beauty has long been subjected to allegations of her staggering rider requests and demanding outbursts, but has always maintained she's never abused her position of power.
However, Carey admits she was disgusted when a potential suitor took her on a date that didn't meet her high standards.
She says, "This guy who has a lot of money and who should know better took me to TGI Friday's. That was not a piv moment."
Also...
Carey has packed a phenomenal 40 cases for her latest worldwide travels to ensure she's comfortable in all climates.
The sexy singer -- who's currently busy promoting her new album, The Emancipation of Mimi, and denying reports she's a diva -- admits her extensive range of bathing suits alone occupy two cases.
The other 38 are filled with garments fit for the various celebrity functions and temperatures she's expecting to encounter.
She says, "Is that a lot? I have been going through different climates and have just come from Aspen, where it's tradition to roll around in the snow then get in the Jacuzzi. So I've got to have my bathing suits, which is two big bags."
Pop star Mariah Carey's demanding behavior has reached new heights -- she's employed a servant whose job is to dispose of her used chewing gum.
The singing beauty shocked onlookers on the set of the British television breakfast show "GM:TV" when she took her chewing gum out of her mouth and promptly planted it into the hand of a member of her entourage -- which Scottish presenter Lorraine Kelly jokingly described as "a cast of thousands."
An incredulous Kelly says, "When Mariah wanted to get rid of her chewing gum, somebody put their hand out to take it -- and that appeared to be their only job."
I had heard of a rapper who had a a guy in his entourage who's sole purpose was testing video games for the star. I thought that was taking it too far, but as always, Mariah can do "diva" better than anyone else.
11-18-2003 03:16 AM
That's insane, even for celebrities. No wonder she's broke 
