Is it true you had a nervous breakdown last year?
No, I didn't. I was hospitalised for exhaustion. I was working 22-hour days for two months without enough time for sleep or even breaks for food. Nobody can continue at that pace for very long and eventually I just collapsed at my mother's house. I'm sorry if I was emotional about that, but you're bound to get upset when you're so tired you literally can't get up.
Did EMI really give you a $30 million pay-off?
They gave me a lot more than that, but I'm not allowed to tell you how much. Believe me, I could have sued them for a helluva lot more than the amount I settled for…
What's your biggest indulgence?
I don't actually like spending money. I come from a poor background and that's never really left me. I'm 32 but I still worry about the rug being pulled from under me. Most of my spending is on other people. I bought my mother a house, a car and a pool. If I splash out on myself it's usually nice jewellery.
When you do go out shopping, do you have a disguise?
I used to go out in an ugly wig and big glasses. Now my philosophy is if people are going to see me, I might as well look decent. I don't mind meeting people. If someone comes up asking for an autograph I'm happy to sign it.
When did you last go to the cinema as a paying punter?
I honestly can't remember. The only time off I had recently was in Italy and I didn't want to go and watch something in a language I wouldn't understand. But I love going to the movies. I'm a popcorn queen!
Have you ever shattered glass with your amazingly powerful voice?
Not that I know of, but I did hear about one fan who kept listening to one of my songs. Every time I hit a high note the garage door would open. The note must have been on the same frequency as the door's motor.
Is it true you thought you were an ugly kid?
Yes, I was very insecure about my looks. I'm bi-racial so I didn't look like the rest of the kids at school. I didn't look like my black friends, I didn't look like my white friends. I just felt like a scrappy little kid and not pretty at all.
But now you're not shy about showing your, er, assets?
What entertainer doesn't try to look good or show off their stuff? It's all about dress-up. When we're kids do we play with a school marm doll? No, we play with Barbie. Actually, I'm pretty conservative. A lot of celebrities turn up at awards shows in clothes that are so see-through they look practically naked.
Justin Timberlake helped out on your new album. Is he the sort of guy you go for?
I think he's a nice guy, but I don't know him well enough. To me it's all about the personality.
What about Max Beesley, your co-star in Glitter?
He's a cool guy and lots of fun, but he's a friend-type guy. We're both Aries and we have a similar sense of humour.
Got a man on the go at the moment?
No, and I don't want a boyfriend just for the sake of it. I don't trust most people out there. I mean, what's their agenda? Why do they want to be with me? I hate to think that way, but I have got to be realistic. There's too much at risk and I don't need to be a notch on somebody's bedpost. I'll flirt with you all night long, but then it's bye-bye.
How did you feel when Glitter bombed at the box office?
It didn't surprise me. There was so much crap going on at the time. I'd been hospitalised for exhaustion, the press were saying I'd tried to commit suicide — which is such crap, I'm way too much of a spiritual person to ever think about killing myself. Then the film came out the week of September 11th. No one was going anywhere that week.
The reviews were pretty harsh, too.
It wasn't what I'd envisioned. I saw it as much grittier, like a Saturday Night Fever vibe, but it was really toned down for the nine-year- old audience.
Are you going to act again?
I already have. I starred with Mira Sorvino in this really cool indie comedy called Wisegirls. I play a drug-dealing waitress called Raychel who works in a Mafia restaurant. That was a much better experience.
Let's clear up a few Mariah myths. Firstly, is it true you have an assistant who wipes your soda cans with disinfectant?
Oh come on! You've just seen me pouring myself a glass of water. Did I disinfect the bottle? No.
Another rumour: the only bottled water you will drink is Evian, right?
Is that what people say? OK, I'm drinking Evian now, but that's only because the only other water here is Perrier and I don't want sparkling water.
Did you date Eminem?
No, I didn't. But I do know him.
What would be your ideal funeral?
I'd like people to celebrate my life, where my real friends would get up and tell stories or sing gospel songs. It'd also be cool if they danced in the aisles to some of my music.
Lots of US stars are relocating to the UK. Would you ever do the same?
I really like it over here, but I grew up in New York and that's my home. If I was ever to live somewhere else it wouldn't be another big city, it would be a secluded island, somewhere warm. I'm very much into the beach thing.
Are you proud of the ‘diva’ tag?
Everybody's a diva these days, not just singers. I came out of a recording studio the other day and across the street was a sign for a firm called Diva Garbage. That really made me laugh.
Describe the real Mariah Carey…
People think I take myself too seriously, but I don't. If I did, would I have done Chums on SM:TV? I love life and I've got a sense of humour, which most people don't seem to realise.
The last year hasn't been easy for you. What's your survival secret?
Writing and singing have always been a healing process for me. The way I bounce back is, as I say, by not taking myself too seriously. My father died in July and we'd just become closer. It made me realise you should live life each day, celebrate it and enjoy yourself. Mariah's album Charmbracelet is out tomorrow on MonarC Music/Island Records
Who produced Madonna's last album?
I don't have a clue. (Get with it, Mariah — it was Mirwais.)
What's the rrp for Glitter on UK DVD?
Who on earth would want to buy it? (Good answer, but if you did it'd cost you pounds 19.99.)
Who won Pop Idol in the UK?
No idea. I didn't even watch American Idol. (Tsk. It was Will Young, of course.)
What would you pay for a can of Coke in London's West End?
Um, around 70p? (Yep, that sounds about right.)
