Mariah Carey Shares Her 'Merry Christmas II You' Cookie Recipe

This week, Mariah Carey will be releasing her brand new holiday album, 'Merry Christmas II You.' The singer is celebrating the spirit of the upcoming season with the recent premiere of her catchy single 'Oh Santa!', but she's also been getting festive in the kitchen. Carey has whipped up a special Christmas cookie recipe, which PopEater is exclusively debuting.

Come Nov. 2, you'll be able to listen to the full 'Merry Christmas II You' album -- which features a new recording of the smash hit 'All I Want for Christmas Is You,' as well as classic holiday songs -- as you bake. Find out how to make Carey's Christmas cookies after the jump.

Mariah Carey's 'Merry Christmas II You' Cookies

Serves 4 dozen

Ingredients:
1 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon of lemon zest
1 tablespoon milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions:
Cream butter, gradually add sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Beat in egg, milk, vanilla and lemon zest. Combine flour, baking powder and salt. Gradually add to creamed mixture. Chill for easy handling. Roll out dough to 1/8" thickness on a lightly floured surface. Cut dough into festive holiday shapes with floured cookie cutters. Bake on a cookie sheet in a preheated 350-degree (Fahrenheit) oven for 10 minutes, or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool. Decorate with icing and green and red sprinkles.

Place cookies on a plate beside the Christmas tree with a tall glass of milk for Santa Claus on Christmas Eve!

Source:Popeater

Mariah Carey: First comes Christmas album, then comes baby

Mariah Carey is giving birth in more ways than one.

The music superstar's just-confirmed pregnancy is getting lots of attention, but her immediate focus is on Tuesday's (Nov. 2) unveiling of her second holiday CD, "Merry Christmas II You."

For the rest of the year, she'll be making the media rounds to promote it, and she admits she's already feeling the effects of tackling such a schedule in her current condition.

"That's the thing," the friendly Carey tells Zap2it. "I was like, 'Interviews? Today?' I worked so late last night, it was to the point where I got home and didn't even have the strength to take my makeup off.

"One perk was that I woke up today still looking good! I mean, even my hair. I had this sort of flip thing going on. I slept with a well-positioned neck pillow, and when I woke up, my flip was still good."

"Merry Christmas II You" offers many seasonal standards, including an "Extra Festive" update of Carey's own classic "All I Want for Christmas Is You." She says hearing that song "keep coming back always makes me so overwhelmed. It really, really makes me happy. A lot of people don't realize that I also co-wrote it [with Walter Afanasieff].

"I was working up to the last day they made me hand in the album, and there was one time when it was a 24-hour marathon. I wasn't telling anybody I was pregnant yet, and I knew I was in pain -- but I was like, 'Whatever I have to do to get this done.'

"I knew I had to get 'All I Want for Christmas Is You' done," Carey adds, "and at the last minute, [composer-arranger] Marc Shaiman saved the day. People don't do these big orchestral sessions that much anymore."

As for possible baby names? Carey reports she and her "America's Got Talent"-host husband, Nick Cannon, began discussing those "a long time ago. We're just waiting to see. I was doing two videos yesterday, and I didn't even watch the interview (on NBC's "Today," in which Carey revealed her baby news). I'll look at that on a plane, maybe."

Carey envisions spending much of the holiday season in New York, with an itinerary that includes a performance on the annual NBC special "Christmas in Rockefeller Center" Tuesday, Nov. 30. Another television consideration for her is one that many top artists have these days ... the possible use of her catalog on the FOX series "Glee."

"I believe there have been some discussions about a potential melding there," Carey says, "and I would love to explore that. I'm not a rabid watcher [of the show], but that's only because of my schedule. Truth is, I get the DVDs of some of my favorite shows, then just end up watching those all the time."

Source: Zap2It

more about Mariahs pregnancy

Mariah Carey Designs for HSN

Mariah Carey is having more than a baby — she’s also unveiling a lifestyle line.

After weeks of speculation, Carey confirmed on Thursday that she and her husband, Nick Cannon, are expecting their first child. But before her spring due date, Carey will hatch her first lifestyle collection featuring jewelry, footwear and fragrance on HSN on Nov. 29.

The move makes Carey the newest addition to the celebrity designer circuit, but unlike many of her contemporaries, she isn’t taking the traditional retail route. Instead, she’s going straight to the consumer, and is sticking to a genre she is comfortable with — TV, as well as the Internet.

In an exclusive interview, Carey said she is always eager to push her creativity into new directions, and after meeting HSN Inc. chief executive officer Mindy Grossman, she jumped at the opportunity to develop her own collection of shoes and baubles, and enhance her fragrance offering.

Carey said she developed a more significant interest in jewelry through her friend Joan Boyce, one of the designers in HSN’s lineup.

“I never even used to wear jewelry,” the singer said. “I used to wear baby earrings, tiny things. When I started to get into jewelry a little more, Joan was working with HSN, and that’s how I met Mindy Grossman.”

Two weeks later, Grossman flew to Los Angeles to meet with Carey, and the two hit it off immediately, spending hours at the singer’s house and, more specifically, in her shoe closet. By the end of the day, the duo concluded that the time was ripe for Carey to extend her profile into a lifestyle brand.

“She is personable, funny and smart and obviously creative and talented, and we just talked about what she is passionate about — shoes, jewelry, fragrance and her music,” Grossman said. “I said, ‘Why can’t we do it all?’ She is magnetic, and I think this has the opportunity not just to appeal to our existing customer base, but also a lot of new customers.”

Carey is arguably the biggest star on HSN’s roster, with a global reach and recognition like few of her contemporaries on the network, which include notables like Iman, Twiggy, Wolfgang Puck, Randolph Duke, Rebecca Moses and Loulou de la Falaise.

Since launching her career in 1990, Carey has become the world’s most successful female recording artist, selling more than 200 million albums; she has tried her hand at acting, and while her star turn in “Glitter” was widely panned, she more recently drew critical acclaim for her role as a social worker in “Precious.”

In 2007, she launched her first fragrance with Elizabeth Arden, and the process inspired her to think about extending her creative reach.

“From the inception of working with Elizabeth Arden, I wanted the fragrances to represent what I really like,” she said. “It really opened my eyes and opened the doors for me in terms of starting to think about going into other creative ventures.”

The lifestyle collection is Mariah, all the way, with sparkling, pavé-set “initial” pendants, butterfly earrings, fur-trimmed suede boots and quilted nylon boots wrapped in chains. The shoes will be priced from about $69.90 to $199.90, while the jewelry will be available from $39.99 to $199.95. Carey will also offer a new version of her Luscious Pink fragrance, and 25 $275 bottles of her Luscious Pink Deluxe Edition fragrance will feature a Swarovski Elements-encrusted butterfly with a personal note from the singer.

Carey admitted she likes to channel surf and often finds herself stopping on HSN, particularly when her friend Boyce is on. “It’s a classic, you have to keep it on,” she said. “I do a very good impression of her.”

The practice will come in handy on Nov. 29, though Carey said she had no preshow jitters despite this being her first time selling on TV. “I think it’s just about being yourself, explaining the different products and enjoying yourself,” said Carey. “If I take it so seriously, and say, ‘Oh my god, It’s a Shakespearean moment,’ it’s not going to be fun. I am looking at it as something fun. This is an extracurricular activity for me and I am looking forward to it. It’s another creative outlet for me.”

She talks about her shoe and jewelry designs like a pro — with the added experience of having worn hundreds of designer shoes in her two-decade career. Her shoe closet is filled with styles from Manolo Blahnik to Jimmy Choo, and she particularly loves Yves Saint Laurent heels. She said people compliment her on her shoe closet all the time.

“They say, ‘I love your shoe closet. I saw it in Architectural Digest, on ‘Cribs.’ I saw it on Oprah or Barbara Walters,” she said.

The songstress prefers platform heels over flats. “Most people are comfortable in flats, and I always say my foot is naturally made to be in high heels.

“When I don’t have a platform, we could have a traumatic moment, like a semi-spill on stage, which nobody wants,” Carey added. “A platform shoe grounds you a little more. I try to make my designs more practical as well as pretty. One of the things I thought about was how I could do affordable, really nice, comfortable shoes that are still flattering to the leg.”

Carey is also developing a signature for her jewelry, and the butterfly, her favorite motif, plays a prominent feature. Among her favorites is the platinum and pink diamond engagement ring Cannon designed for her and a butterfly ring Van Cleef & Arpels gave her a decade ago.

She also has a penchant for vintage jewelry. “It always seems that if you have an amazing vintage Cartier bracelet or a signed Tiffany piece, you can’t go wrong,” she said. “You just can’t do the same type of filigree work anymore. A lot of that inspired my own pieces. They have a modern twist, but that’s my natural inclination.”

Carey said she could see the line expand into new areas for her second HSN moment next year. She didn’t rule out doing an apparel line in the future. “I am definitely looking forward to a long relationship with HSN,” she said.

She was hard-pressed to narrow down her list of her favorite designers, though a few names made the cut. “I love Karl Lagerfeld as a person and as a designer, and I have some vintage Chanel suits that are gorgeous,” she said. “I am not a big bag person, but if I do carry one, you know that I love it. I have a lot of Chanel bags, including one that I saved from years ago. It is wooden and looks a little bit like a lunch box. I also have a lot of Judith Leiber.”

Among her favorite dresses, she cited the Nile Cmylo gown she wore at her 2008 wedding; the Dolce & Gabbana number she sported in her video for “Honey,” and a red gown she wore to the 2006 MTV Movie Awards.

Like most celebrities, Carey has had her share of “fashion don’t” moments, which she won’t point to right now. “If I highlight those moments, you will feature them, darling,” she said.

That said, Carey isn’t fearful of the fashion police. Far from it, she said. “You get photographed everywhere,” she said. “You look at it one day, and it’s gone the next, or they can dwell on it for a week. Within a couple of days, there is somebody else doing something in the world that is a little more interesting than a bad outfit.”

Grossman declined to give projections for the line, but said “it is projected to be very significant or we wouldn’t have done it on such an important day as Cyber Monday.”

HSN will support the launch in multiple ways. The network will sell Carey’s new CD, “Merry Christmas II You,” which is being released by Island Def Jam Music Group on Tuesday, and is also playing her first single from it, “Oh Santa,” in its holiday promo.

Carey is particularly proud of her new work. “I was really inspired by Nat King Cole and Bing Crosby, and all the classic Christmas music that was just timeless,” she said of the project. “I wanted it to be festive-meets-timeless. It’s everything from a more soulful moment to a duet I did with my mother, who is an opera singer. It was very interesting and different, and for me that is a really nice jewel of the album.”

As for her budding fashion career, Carey already comes with an accessory that is quite common in fashion circles — the diva moniker. “One of the things people need to do is look up the actual definition of diva,” she said. “The first thing is a talented female vocalist. That’s what I like it to be. The second is a difficult female. Whatever. Everybody is a diva these days, and most people are trying to get to that status, so, I am a diva if that makes people happy. I think, mainly, that I try to be a good person above that.”

Source:WWD

More about Mariah pregnancy

'Absolutely emotional' Mariah Carey confirms world's worst-kept secret as she announces she is pregnant

* Happy news comes two years after star's miscarriage
* Couple say they do not know sex of unborn child
* Child was conceived naturally

After months of speculation, Mariah Carey has finally confirmed she is expecting her first child with husband Nick Cannon in the spring.
The 41-year-old singer made the announcement on The Today Show, and admitted both she and Cannon are 'absolutely emotional' about the news.
In a sneak peek of Mariah's Access Hollywood three-part interview due to air this week, Mariah is seen saying: 'Yes, we are pregnant. This is true.
'It’s been a long journey. It’s been tough because I’ve been trying to hold on to a shred of privacy.'

The singer said she felt she had to speak out to confirm the news, adding: 'At this point, there is no choice. I either talk or I hibernate,
While Mariah refused to name her due date, she did say: 'It's still early' before continuing, 'expecting is great'.
Cannon, 30, added: 'The greatest gift on earth is a child.
'We’ve had names picked out from the first day we met and we want to stay true to that.'
The happy news comes after Mariah had a miscarriage nearly two years ago.

In the interview with Billy Bush, which will air in the US on Thursday, she said the experience had been both traumatic and painful.
She said: '“It kind of shook us both and took us into a place that was really dark and difficult.

'When that happened, I wasn’t able to even talk to anybody about it. That was not easy.'

Cannon added: 'It definitely brought us closer together. It strengthened our relationship so much… She handled it so well.'
He hailed his wife's strength for being able to laugh in front of the cameras, but later, 'crying herself to sleep'.

Bush said that Carey told him the baby was conceived naturally, and added that the couple does not know its sex.

Mariah prompted rumours that she was expecting when she stepped out in August wearing a maternity dress.
However, she quickly followed the reports with a statement from her agent Cindi Berger.
The statement read: 'I appreciate everyone’s well wishes. But I am very superstitious. When the time is right, everyone will know - even Cindi Berger.'
In August, Cannon spoke about Mariah's maternal instinct, explaining: 'She's very nurturing.

'She's nurturing with me and makes me breakfast at anytime and that's my favorite food. It would be like 3 o'clock in the morning and she will still make me waffles. She'll be the best mom.'

And asked if he would like a boy or a girl, Cannon replied: 'It's great to have a girl until she turns into a teenager. Then you have to worry about every other boy in the neighborhood and that would freak me out.

'With a boy, I'd be worrying about him breaking his arms and his legs. I was that type of kid. I was a daredevil so I'd be having to worry about that.'
At the launch of her new Christmas album Merry Christmas II You, the singer looked much fuller-faced and showed off her new curves in a blue velvet dress.

And Thandie Newton, who replaced Mariah when she had to pull out of new movie Colored Girls, also accidentally confirmed the news when she appeared on The View yesterday.
When quizzed about why Thandie took over Mariah's role, she said: 'I think she is pregnant.'

Realising the error of her ways, she stumbled over her words as she continued: 'Or something major is going on in her life, so I carried the baton for her.'

She added: 'I only had two days to make a decision to play it.'

Source:Dailymail

Watch Mariah On Access Hollywood Tonight!

Tune in to Access Hollywood tonight for the first of Billy Bush's exclusive 3-part interview with Mariah.

Thursday, October 28
ACCESS HOLLYWOOD 730pm ET- Part 1

Friday, October 29
ACCESS HOLLYWOOD 730pm ET- Part 2

Monday, November 1
ACCESS HOLLYWOOD 730pm ET- Part 3

Source:Mariahcarey.com

US Weekly Reviews ''Merry Christmas II You''

Mariah Carey - Merry Christmas II You - 3.5 stars
Sixteen years after her landmark holiday CD, Merry Christmas, Mariah Carey presents a second set of glittery yuletide standards, plus four originals. The disc's biggest gift? The glorious gospel "O Come All Ye Faithful/Hallelujah Chorus," where the diva duets with her opera singer mom, Patricia!

Source:MariahCarey.com

Mariah Carey, Nick Cannon Confirm: She's Pregnant!

After months of media speculation, Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon confirmed to Access Hollywood what we have pretty much known for months.

“Yes, we are pregnant, this is true!” she said. “It’s been a long journey. It’s been tough because I’ve been trying to hold on to a shred of privacy.”

Mariah said that after months of rumors, she finally had to speak out.

Congratulations to the expectant parents!

“At this point, there is no choice. I either talk or I hibernate,” she said.

In the interview, which will air today, Mariah and Nick spoke candidly about their journey together, which included a terrifying miscarriage two years ago.

Mariah and Nick revealed they were getting ready to tell their friends and family the good news that they were expecting over the holidays at that time.

Until she realized they were longer pregnant.“It kind of shook us both and took us into a place that was really dark and difficult,” Mariah told Billy Bush about the devastating miscarriage.

“I wasn’t able to even talk to anybody about it ... That was not easy.”

And part of the reason they hesitated to confirm the rumors this time.

After the miscarriage, Nick Cannon said that the experience has actually made them stronger as a couple and he admires Mariah Carey’s strength.

“It definitely brought us closer together,” he said. “It strengthened our relationship so much. She handled it so well. The greatest gift on earth is a child. We’ve had names picked out from the first day we met and we want to stay true to that.”

We're so happy to hear the news!

Source:thehollywoodgossip

Mariah Carey: "Yes, We are pregnant"

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Source:Today

Mariah Tells Us: “I Really Will Be Happy Either Way”–Boy or Girl

All these stories about Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon having a boy–they are concocted.

Mariah sent me an email last night that I will share with you about the baby’s gender.

She wrote: “We don’t know yet- I promise! I really will be happy either way!”

Mariah and Nick have a three part sit down with Billy Bush on “Access Hollywood” starting tonight. This morning, Billy promo’s the announcement on the Today show.

Mariah will be home in bed, feet up, watching the show. Or maybe, fast asleep, and will watch the playback later today.

Either way, that’s the story. Baby coming in early spring. Album out on Tuesday.

And not one of the stories posted about all this was true or factual in any way.

Source:Showbiz411

Mariah on the Today Show

Mariah will make an appearance on the Today show tomorrow, October 28 to promote her new Holiday album, Merry Christmas II You, her husband Nick Cannon announced on his 92.3 NOW morning show.

Today airs 7:00am-10:00am ET on NBC. Mariah will reportedly be on at 9:00am. Be sure to tune in!

Mariah Carey: It Looks Like She’s Fessing Up At Last On Pregnancy

Mariah Carey‘s long standing silence on her pregnancy may be coming to an end.

Last night, “Access Hollywood” host Billy Bush was spotted coming from Carey’s Tribeca building. The word is that “Access” has secured the big Carey interview as part of her promotion for her new Christmas album.

And lo and behold, the story is also that Mariah has finally made a formal announcement about what is more evident than the Empire State Building. She’s five or six months pregnant with a bundle of joy.

Calls to Mariah’s rep were not returned. But they may be out, shopping for the shower!

Mariah has resisted speaking up so far because she said she was “superstitious”–as she told this column a few weeks ago, and it was reproduced everywhere. But it’s going to be hard to continue in that direction, and I guess she knows it.

The “Access” interview should run by Monday. Next Tuesday is the release date for “Merry Xmas II You.” And maybe January is the release date for the baby. Congrats to Mariah and Nick Cannon, officially!

Source: Showbiz 411

Watch Oh Santa! Clip

Only 7 Days till Merry Christmas II You & My True Love Gave To Me…An “Oh Santa!” video clip by MC!

Watch the clip on the homepage video player of MariahCarey.com

Pre-order Merry Christmas II You on iTunes now and receive Oh Santa! instantly!

Source: MariahCarey.com

Watch Mariah Carey On Ellen & Lopez Tonight on November 2!

It’s MC TV!! Mariah Carey’s new holiday album Merry Christmas II You will be released on Tuesday, November 2 and Mariah will be stopping by some of your favorite TV talk shows to promote it!

Set your DVR’s and be sure to catch Mariah on:
The Ellen DeGeneres Show
Tuesday, November 2
When to watch - check local listings

Lopez Tonight Show
Tuesday, November 2
TBS, 11:00pm /10:00pm CT

Members of Mariah Carey’s official fan club Honey B. Fly can win tickets to Lopez Tonight Show. Click here for more details!

Source:mariahcarey.com

Get Tickets To Attend Mariah's Christmas TV Special!

If you love Mariah, this is the event for you! Mariah will be taping her Merry Christmas II You TV special on Saturday, November 6th at 6:30pm in Los Angeles, CA and we want you to attend!

Mariah will be performing songs from her highly anticipated new holiday album Merry Christmas II You in-stores November 2nd featuring the #1 single Oh Santa! and we are looking for 1000 lucky Mariah fans to be part of this exclusive TV event.

Here is what you need to do:

*Visit www.1iota.com and create a free account
*After your 1iota account has been created and verified, click or paste this link into your browser: http://www.1iota.com/shows,Mariah-Carey-Christmas-Special,168.html
*Request free tickets and be sure to add the keyword: "Mariah" in the comments box during your ticket request.

Source:mariahcarey.com

Mariah Carey welcomes home Gaston family in 'Extreme Makeover' moment in Pensacola

PENSACOLA, Florida -- Pop superstar Mariah Carey stepped out of a van, into a director's chair and waited Sunday for Finis Gaston and the niece and nephews he's been caring for to step out of a limousine on Sunday and see their new "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" home.

"Extreme Makeover" may be a reality TV show, but as spectators found out Sunday, it's still a TV show and so trying to make a quality production was Job 1 for the production crew onhand Sunday in Pensacola.

What did that mean? A lot of waiting for spectators and an almost eerie parade practice scene in which marching bands, cheerleaders and floats came down the street with no music.

But it also meant that the onlookers got to yell "Move that bus!" in a scene that will be played out as a special holiday episode of the popular TV show. And it meant they got to catch more than a glimpse of the show's star -- Ty Pennington -- and of Mariah Carey, who has more No. 1 hits than Michael Jackson and is second only to The Beatles in that category.

Carey stayed secreted in a commercial building near the build site at 1301 Rainbow Ave. in Pensacola, then was moved to the "Move that bus!" site just before the carefully rehearsed, but no less enthusiastic, band made its way down the street.

When the doors of the white van she was in opened, thousands of onlookers, including member of the Fairhope High School cheerleading squad, screamed in excitement.

"With Finis being a huge fan of Mariah Carey, it makes today that much more special," Lott said. "And for our team and all the volunteers, watching the family's reaction and seeing the final home lit up for Christmas was what we have been thinking about this whole week while we worked."

As for what the family got to see when they stepped inside the 3,600-square-foot home with 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms and a nursery will remain a relative secret until the show airs Dec. 12.

Lott told the Press-Register that he could say that one room in the house required extensive wiring and should be quite spectacular. That's a little surprising since show cast member Xzibit was not on the design team, which included Pennington (who split his time between this build and another one going on simultaneously in another state), Michael Maloney, Johnny Littlefield and Tracy Hutson.

Carey has a new holiday album coming out, which is part of the reason for her appearance at the "Extreme Makeover" reveal. The other reason is that she is the favorite singer of Gaston, a male cheerleader who was attending Alabama A&M in Huntsville, Alabama, when his mother died and he left school to take care of his niece and her children.

Source:AL.com

Mariah Carey to Share Laughs with Chelsea Handler

Nick Cannon may not be her biggest fan, but that doesn’t seem to be stopping his wife Mariah Carey from sitting in the hot seat on Chelsea Handler’s talk show.


Nick’s wifey will laugh off the past with the blonde comedienne during an appearance on E!’s “Chelsea Lately” next month, Rap-Up.com has learned. The episode will be taped November 3, the day after Mimi releases her Christmas album Merry Christmas II You.

Carey’s other half fired back at his fellow comedian after she tweeted about him. “I just heard nick cannon is starting a comedy tour. Who’s going to do the comedy?” joked Handler before Cannon responded, “Everyone knows @Chelseahandler had sex with the head of E! for her show. So when its canceled does he get residual p***y for the reruns?”

The Christmas queen’s promo schedule also includes appearances on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” (11/2), NBC’s “Christmas at Rockefeller Center” (11/30), and “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” (12/12). In addition, she will tape a holiday special for ABC in late November.

Rap-Up.com attended a listening of Mariah’s holiday album last week in New York.

Source:Rap-Up

New Merry Christmas II you promo pics HQ

Mariah Carey Butterfly Design Drop Earrings

HSN.com revealed the first piece of Butterfly shaped drop earrings from Mariah's collection of jewelry. Order it online now for $49.95. Click here to order

Color Information
Pink round and marquise-cut CZs; Purple pear-shaped CZ drop; Purple crystals
Blue round and marquise-cut glass stones; Pink pear-shaped glass stone drop; Purple crystals

Design Information
Butterfly-design station
Marquise-cut CZ or glass stone "wings" in prong settings
Marquise-shaped "body" encrusted with bezel and pavé-set, round purple crystals
Round and pear-cut CZ or glass stone linear link drop

Mariah Carey’s “Oh Santa” straight in at No.1 on Holiday Chart

The singer builds anticipation for “Merry Christmas II You,” due Nov. 2, with first single “Oh Santa!,” which debuts at No. 1 on Billboard’s new Holiday Digital Songs chart (one position above her original version of “All I Want for Christmas Is You”). The follow-up album to 1994’s “Merry Christmas” includes a duet with Carey’s mother, Patricia.

Source: Billboard

Album Preview: Mariah Carey – ‘Merry Christmas II You’

It's not even Halloween yet, but Mariah Carey is already ushering in Christmas. The pop songbird and Island Def Jam chairman Antonio "L.A." Reid turned Allen Room at Lincoln Center in New York City into a winter wonderland to host a festive listening session for Merry Christmas II You, the follow-up to her 1994 best-selling Christmas album.

Munching on candy canes and Hershey's Kisses and sipping Mariah's own Angel Champagne, guests including Gayle King, singer Trey Lorenz, and "Extra" correspondent A.J. Calloway shuffled from the reception room to the soundstage, where Reid took the podium situated on a stage decorated with white pine trees, giant ornaments, and silver boxes of presents.

"It's challenging. It's Christmas in October, I know," joked Reid before introducing the album. "Mariah started making this album in June after three years of asking."

While Reid emceed the playback by introducing every other song, Mimi made a surprise appearance before the end of the album, bringing her hubbie Nick Cannon up on stage to help her share in the moment.

"For me, Christmas began in spring or summer. And basically, our house in L.A., Nick was very cool to deal with it," she explained. "It was decorated kind of like this but with a little bit of reds and blues and greens and stuff, all since the summer. So I've been in the spirit, and this is a very creative moment for me personally and just to be working on this particular album right now has been exceptionally special for me."

After thanking collaborators Randy Jackson, Jermaine Dupri, and Broadway composer Marc Shaiman, Mimi left the stage, leaving listeners with a few songs to close out the evening. Rap-Up.com is giving you a peek at 11 songs before the wrapping comes off on November 2.

"Santa Claus Is Coming to Town (Intro)"
Produced by Mariah Carey and Marc Shaiman
Chiming bells introduce the album, setting the tone with a lush orchestral background that segues into the following track.

"Oh Santa!"
Produced by Mariah Carey, Jermaine Dupri, and Bryan-Michael Cox
Many in attendance had already heard the ebullient sleigh bell-driven single, so they enjoyed the track while watching projected images showing Mariah with her dogs in front of snowmen, skiing with her husband, and sleeping by the fireside.

"O Little Town of Bethlehem / Little Drummer Boy (Medley)"
Produced by Mariah Carey, James "Big Jim" Wright, and Randy Jackson
The instruments are thick on this traditional jazzy number. Mariah pulls back on her vocals, allowing her voice to flutter over rolling percussion, dulcet flutes, and swelling strings. Of course, it wouldn't be a Mimi track without some bold singing near the end, but it finishes on a softer, heartwarming note.

"The First Noel / Born Is the King (Interlude)"
Produced by Mariah Carey, James "Big Jim" Wright, and Randy Jackson
A smoky piano introduces this bare ballad where Mariah flexes her vocal chops with her signature buttery trills. Strings join in after the first verse and chorus, culminating in a grandiose finish.

"When Christmas Comes"
Produced by Mariah Carey and James Poyser
The most contemporary R&B song on the album, this begins with a crackly brass section, playing like classic soul. "Because this Christmastime/ Get together, it's gonna be so nice/ Better than ever/ And boy, you're the one that I'll treasure/ I can't wait to unwrap your love/ When Christmas comes," sings Mimi before the song ends with a brief segue into "Jingle Bells."

"Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane) / Housetop Celebration"
Produced by Mariah Carey, Jermaine Dupri, and Bryan-Michael Cox
Sampling Chic's "Good Times," this '80s hip-hop-inspired cut updates the seasonal standard with a pounding backbeat, heavily influenced by the classic So So Def sound.

"Charlie Brown Christmas"
Produced by Mariah Carey, James "Big Jim" Wright, and Randy Jackson
The classic piano instrumental fits snugly on the album, melding into "Christmas Time Is Here" from the classic TV special "A Charlie Brown Christmas." The song slows to a seasonal, languid pace, heavy on the piano.

"O Come All Ye Faithful / Hallelujah Chorus" feat. Patricia Carey
Produced by Mariah Carey, James "Big Jim" Wright, and Randy Jackson
"This next number is very special because it features a lady that I would probably say is the most responsible for her gene pool spilling over into Mariah," said Reid, introducing the song. "It's her mother Patricia Carey, who's singing a song with Mariah."

The gospel-heavy tune sees Mariah taking the first verse, while her operatic mother assumes second verse duties. Mimi comes in right at the end of her mom's portion with a shrieking falsetto, closing out the song with an intergenerational duet.

"To be able to include my mother and work with her, that was really special," Mariah later added.

"O Holy Night" (Live from WPC in South Central Los Angeles)
Produced by Mariah Carey and Walter Afanasieff
Recorded live at the Westminster Presbyterian Church in South Central Los Angeles, this gospel recording features a full band and backing chorus as Mariah nails the vocals. "It's really amazing, I'm so happy she included that on this recording," shared Reid.

"All I Want for Christmas Is You (Extra Festive)"
Produced by Mariah Carey, James "Big Jim" Wright, and Randy Jackson
With a new orchestral introduction, this American classic features newly recorded vocals from Mariah as well as a beefier backing chorus, fresh ad-libs, and an extended outro, sounding just as enjoyable as it did in 1994.

"It's a little known fact that she was one of the greatest writers of our time," said Reid of Mariah. "That song, which she wrote, is the most successful holiday song written and released in the modern era—and she wrote it. That's just phenomenal. We know a lot of songwriters. How many of them can say they truly wrote a standard? A true standard?"

Mariah later shared that she bugged composer Marc Shaiman about redoing the song's intro by calling him with ideas at 6 a.m. "I would call him and I was like, 'All I Want for Christmas' needs a new intro," she said. "No, I didn't leave that off this album, if there are any real fans out there, but that one is remade and the intro is so good."

"Auld Lang Syne (The New Year's Anthem)"
Closing the album, this features Mariah performing the classic tune with a mellow piano and strong chorus before voices count back from 10 to 1 and the party begins. "The New Year's Anthem" is the album's sole dance record, capping the holiday release with a feel-good jam.

Source: Rap-Up

Mariah Carey Sparkles At “Merry Christmas II You” Listening Party

Mariah Carey celebrated Christmas a little early tonight (October 20) as she attended the listening party for her new holiday album, Merry Christmas II You.

Dressed in a blue dress sparkling with sequins and some diva heels, Mariah joined her husband Nick Cannon to preview some tracks from her new Christmas album. Although there has been no official confirmation, the glowing pop queen appeared to be very pregnant at the event.

Merry Christmas II You will jingle its way into stores on November 2.

Source: Neon Limelight

Mariah Carey brings Christmas to New York City

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Island Def Jam chairman L.A. Reid hosted an exclusive listening party for Mariah Carey’s new holiday album Merry Christmas II You at Allen Room at Lincoln Center in NYC on Wednesday night. Mariah herself showed up with husband Nick Cannon to present her festive collection of tunes.

Source: Rap-Up Magazine

Mariah Carey, Glowing, Launches New Xmas Album with Mom as Special Guest

Mariah Carey launched many new things last night at the Allen Room at Jazz Lincoln Center: her new album, which features-surprise–her mom, Patricia as a stunning operatic guest vocalist.

Carey also –even though she made no announcement–showed off her pretty obvious pregnant self. She glowed as she took the stage in a kind of black teddy design of a maternity dress. Then she brought out husband Nick Cannon and he glowed. Photographers took pictures and didn’t need flash. It came from the couple.

Island Def Jam’s L.A. Reid introduced the album, “Merry Christmas II You,” which is “available” on November 2nd. (He noted that you can’t say “in stores” anymore since there aren’t many.) Reid kicked off the listening session before Carey arrived since she was late–let’s face it, she’s always late and everyone knows it. But by the time he finished playing several tracks, Mariah and Nick had arrived and all was good.

In the audience: Marc Shaiman, the great Broadway composer, who helped give Mariah arrangements, orchestrations, and new songs that make her notable eight octave voice sound terrific. Also on hand: Gayle King, and Mariah’s phalanx of agents and lawyers.

On stage, Mariah joked about working long hours, and gave thanks to missing producer Randy Jackson.”He’s off working on some show,” she joked about “American Idol.”

And about the album: those who counted Mariah out after the disappointing sales of her last CD, guess what? She’s back. From the Phil Spectorish remake of her classic holiday song “All I Want for Christmas Is You” to Shaiman’s lush, gorgeous “Christmas Time is in the Air,” Mariah nails the whole thing. Her voice has never sounded better. There’s a nod to A Charlie Brown Christmas with a sample of Vince Guaraldi‘s Peanuts music mashed up with “Christmas Time is Here.” I loved the funky R&B version of “Here Comes Santa Claus” mixed up with a Chic sample and Akon.

As for the big ‘white elephant’ in the room: as Mariah conveyed to this column several weeks ago, she’s superstitious about discussing the pregnancy. That’s fine. You can tell how happy she is! Meanwhile, she’s doing a Christmas TV special on December 12th–and there will be no denying it then.

Start knitting those baby booties.

All pictures c 2010 Showbiz411.com

Mariah Carey: 'Merry Christmas II You' Album Preview!

Christmas has come early for Mariah Carey!

The 40-year-old powerhouse singer gave JustJared.com an early listen of her upcoming holiday album, Merry Christmas II You, at NYC’s Lincoln Center on Wednesday (October 20).

“This is her love, this is her passion, this is her real joy,” Def Jam exec L.A. Reid said, adding that Mariah goes “all out” for Christmas and has been in the spirit ever since she started recording in June!

Mariah and hubby Nick Cannon were both on hand and came onstage during the celebration to thank those who made the album possible!

Here are some tidbits from the album:

“Oh Santa!” - The audience clapped along to this uptempo, energetic song!

“O Little Town of Bethlehem / Little Drummer Boy Medley” - A powerful mix of two Christmas classics - the song showed off Mariah’s legendary pipes!

“Christmas Time Is In The Air Again” - Slow, sultry and understated number.

“The First Noel / Born is the King (Interlude)” - The song begins with a piano arrangement paired with Mariah’s melismatic singing - as the chorus builds, an orchestra comes in and she belts it out big!

“When Christmas Comes” - A soulful R&B song featuring a horn section and an interlude of “Jingle Bells”

“Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane) / Housetop Celebration” - The song features Akon and samples the bass line of Chic’s “Good Times” and turns the original on its head!

“Charlie Brown Christmas” - The song begins with the Peanuts classic “Linus and Lucy” before slowing down and going into a sexy, breathy update of “Christmas Time is Here”.

“O Come All Ye Faithful / Hallelujah Chorus” (feat. Patricia Carey) - Mariah’s mom, Patricia, sings classical opera while Mariah hits those sky high notes. Super powerful song and our favorite track from the album! Both Mom and Mariah’s voices blend perfectly!

“O Holy Night” - Live - Mariah sings over an organ and backing choir at a church in South Central Los Angeles. If you don’t get goosebumps on this track, check your pulse!

“All I Want for Christmas is You - Extra Festive” - The most successful holiday song in recent history gets a new orchestral introduction! When Mariah came out on stage, she dished that she’d call the song’s arranger at 6 a.m. with thoughts on how to change it - and thanked him for his patience.

“Auld Lang Syne - The New Year’s Anthem” - Begins with a piano introduction and a backing choir before a countdown begins and the song turns into a club banger

Source:justjared

Mariah Carey Merry Christmas II You snippets

HSN Exclusive Look At The Making Of Mariah Carey’s Merry Christmas II You

You have a special invitation to watch HSN on October 20 at 8:30am, 2:30pm and 10:30pm as Mariah gives you an exclusive preview of her new holiday album Merry Christmas II You. You’ll get an inside peek into all that she loves, plus hear clips from her new CD and her new single, Oh Santa!. Can’t wait? Then go to hsn.com now and pre-order the Merry Christmas II You CD and accompanying DVD, which includes interviews with Mariah as well as never-before-seen moments of Mariah working and having fun in the studio.

Source:mariahcarey.com

Mariah @Extreme Makeover Home Edition

MC w/the Gaston family & Extreme Makeover Home Edition team! Watch the episode on Dec12 on ABC

Good morning Gaston family! Mariah Carey joins for 'Extreme Makeover' surprise

BAKER, Florida -- Pop star Mariah Carey showed up today to surprise a male cheerleader and former Alabama A&M student who is going to receive a new home from the "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" program.

Finis Gaston of Pensacola was coaching a cheerleading session in Baker, where he takes care of his niece and nephews, when Carey broke the good news to the Gaston family.

56
Share 2 Comments Now it's up to Heritage Homes of Mobile to complete a house for the Gastons by Sunday.

"We are ready to give Finis Gaston and his family a fresh start here in Pensacola,” said Frank Lott, III, Heritage Homes' president. “His positive attitude and big heart will be the inspiration that carries our team of builders and volunteers as we take on this weekʼs build."

Gaston was raised by a single mother in a poor neighborhood. His mom also took care of his young niece and two nephews. When Gaston was 16, the straight A-student and sports enthusiast tried out for the Baker School cheerleading team.

After the coach saw his sky-high jump and perfect toe-touch, she volunteered to pay for everything he needed to be on the team, according to a Heritage Homes news release. Gaston made school history as the first male cheerleader and his confidence and sense of humor made him a school favorite. His dream to go to college and earn a degree in social work came true when he was discovered by a football scout, who offered Gaston a full scholarship to Alabama A&M University.

With just one year left to graduation, Gaston's beloved mother died unexpectedly. Although he was living his dream, he left college to return home and care for his niece and nephews so that they would not be sent to foster care.

In addition to his job serving lunches at Baker School, Gaston is a volunteer coach for a local area girlsʼ cheerleading team at the Baker Area Youth Association. Under his guidance, he has led their team to win local competitions. Gaston opened a gymnastics business called Finest Tumblers, but he had to shut it down when the building was recently sold.

When Finest Tumblers was shut down, Gaston lost the income that he planned to use to make his familyʼs home safe and livable.

Finis and his niece, 18-year-old Jasqulon Gaston, her baby boy, LaRon and Gaston's nephews: Tyshun Morris, 15 and Tyvun Morris, 8, will go on vacation to Disney World. While they are gone, design team leader Ty Pennington and designers Michael Moloney, Tracy Hutson and Johnny Littlefield will join with Heritage Homes and its staff and volunteers to to build the structure.

The show featuring the Gastons is scheduled to air Dec. 12, Carey said on her Twitter page. She also Tweeted: "So amazing down here@Baker HS w/Extreme Home makeover! Loving Ty,Micheal,Tracy,Johnny-all the kids@the school+the Gaston family!"

Source:nwfdailynew

Mariah Carey - "Oh Santa!"

16 years ago Mariah Carey released her first Christmas album Merry Christmas, and it included the instant standard, "All I Want For Christmas Is You." Now she is releasing her second Christmas collection Merry Christmas II You, and it includes the stellar single "Oh Santa!" This easily could be one of the top new Christmas tracks of 2010. Upbeat, cheerful, and thoroughly Mariah Carey, pop radio should jump on this throughout the holidays.

A cheerleader chant, jazzy verse and chorus, chiming bells, handclaps, and a trademark melismatic extravaganza near the end all make this Christmas tune a classic Mariah Carey recording. Lyrically it is all a request of Santa Claus to bring a lover back as the ultimate Christmas gift. It is a simple, common Christmas song sentiment, but in the hands of Mariah Carey and her collaborators Jermaine Dupri and Bryan-Michael Cox is a deliriously perky introduction to the season.

The album Merry Christmas II You will feature four new songs in total. "Oh Santa!" sounds effortlessly breezy and hearkens back to classic Mariah Carey music. There is nothing self-consciously contemporary. The song would be perfectly at home on an old-fashioned Christmas television special. The hint of competition with the desired boyfriend's new girlfriend gives the song just the amount of sass and spunk that is needed to keep things interesting. Mariah Carey attacks the vocals with perfect spirit for the holidays.

The first Merry Christmas collection has sold over five million copies and the song "All I Want For Christmas Is You" has sold over a million downloads. Those might be steep numbers for Mariah Carey to consider in the current sales environment, but holiday albums have been some of the biggest sellers in recent years. This also may be just the ticket to pull Mariah Carey out of the sales doldrums of last year's Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel collection which has just barely reached gold sales status in the US.

Source:about.com

Merry Christmas II You Debut on HSN TV

Mariah's new holiday album, Merry Christmas II You, will debut on the Home Shopping Network (HSN) TV on Wednesday, October 20th. Below are the times when you can watch.

• 8am-9am ET - Mariah Carey's Merry Christmas II You
• 2pm-3pm ET - Mariah Carey's Merry Christmas II You
• 10pm-11pm ET - Deck the Halls Finale ft. Mariah Carey's Merry Christmas II You

You can also watch the album preview live; and place your orders online at HSN Live (or HSN Live in HD).

Source: HSN MariahDailyJournal

Purchase an Autographed Mariah Carey’s Merry Christmas II You (Collector’s Edition)

Special, Limited Edition Holiday Gift Box with Autographed Photo Includes:

* AUTOGRAPHED Holiday Photo - Limited Availability!
* Merry Christmas II You CD - Featuring Oh Santa!, All I Want for Christmas is You - Extra Festive and 8 Timeless Holiday Classics
* Mariah's Personal Holiday Photo Album - See how Mimi and her family spend the holidays!
* Exclusive "MC" Butterfly Christmas Ornament
* Sheet of 8 Mariah Holiday Gift Tags
* Instant MP3 download of Oh Santa!

You can now purchase an autographed Merry Christmas II You limited edition box - only 500 copies available! Order yours now from: http://www.shopmariah.com/

Oh Santa! Available on iTunes Now!

Pre-Order Merry Christmas II You on Itunes TODAY & receive "Oh Santa!" instantly

Mariah's Merry Christmas II You comes out on November 2, but you can pre-order your copy of the album on iTunes today. When you pre-order, you will receive two bonuses: first, you can download the current single, "Oh Santa!," instantly, and when the full album download becomes available on November 2, you will receive a brand new remix of "Oh Santa!"

In addition to traditional holiday favorites, Merry Christmas II You also contains original songs composed by Mariah.

1.Santa Claus is Coming to Town (Intro)
2.Oh Santa!
3.O Little Town of Bethlehem/Little Drummer Boy Medley
4.Christmas Time is in the Air Again
5.The First Noel / Born is the King Interlude
6.When Christmas Comes
7.Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane)/Housetop Celebration
8.Charlie Brown Christmas
9.O Come All Ye Faithful / Hallelujah Chorus feat. Patricia Carey
10.O Holy Night - Live from WPC in South Central Los Angeles
11.One Child
12.All I Want for Christmas is You - Extra Festive
13.Auld Lang Syne - The New Year's Anthem

Source:mariahcarey.com

Mariah May Have to Fess Up on October 20th

Mariah Carey‘s cat and mouse game–is she pregnant or just really enjoying lasagna?–may soon be over.

Invites have gone out for an October 20th listening session in New York for Carey’s new holiday album, “Merry Christmas II You.”

Island Def Jam chief L.A. Reid is hosting the event, and Carey will be there to meet and greet friends, family, and radio types.

Unless she’s hidden, or a hologram, or sits behind a large pocket book all night, there are undoubtedly going to be questions. And maybe an answer. Recent pictures indicate that our lovely Mariah looks very little like the photo on the invite itself right now.

Remember: Mariah told us through her rep a few weeks ago that she was very “superstitious” about discussing such matters.

Meantime, Mariah’s first single from the new album, “Oh Santa,” is pretty catchy. Expect to hear it four times a day between Thanksgiving and Christmas!

source:showbiz 411

Mariah Carey's baby doll dress hides reported baby bump

Mariah Carey is still working hard to keep her reported pregnancy under wraps.

On Friday night, the songstress, 40, hosted a 200-person 30th birthday bash for hubby Nick Cannon at LAVO New York, but tried to keep onlookers guessing as to whether there was a baby bump behind her black baby doll dress.

"She definitely looked big, but I couldn't tell if she was pregnant or not because the dress wasn't tight around her stomach," our spy dished.

She also didn't walk the red carpet — leaving a white tux-wearing Cannon to complete that task alone.

"For most of the night she was relatively low-key, hanging out with his mother and commenting to people that "it was his night" and she really wanted the spotlight to be on him," the source said.

Inside, guests — including Ne-Yo and "Saturday Night Live's" Jay Pharoah — chowed down on a four-course meal that included spinach-and-artichoke pizza, Chilean sea bass and birthday cake. During dinner, Carey surprised Cannon with a video filled with messages from Carey, Cannon's mom and friends including Ne-Yo, Sharon Osbourne and Russell Simmons.

When Cannon's mom saw herself on the video, she "started crying and Nick ran over to comfort her, even wiping away her tears with a napkin," our source said.

Source:amNY

Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon: LAVO Birthday Celebration!

Stepping out to celebrate a milestone in her man's life, Mariah Carey helped Nick Cannon ring in his 30th birthday in New York City on Friday night (October 8).

The "We Belong Together" diva held onto a bodyguard's arm as she eased in and out of LAVO for her husband's bash while dressed in a bump-covering black ensemble.

Aside from celebrating with her man and widely thought to be planning for her first child, Mariah is also readying for the release of her holiday album.

Due in store on November 2, Mariahrecently wrote a message to her fans about "Merry Christmas II You," telling, "Merry Christmas II You is my Christmas gift to all my fans. I wanted you to be the first ones I share this tracklisting with. I’m so excited about it, I hope you love it and enjoy it for years to come!!! LYM4E!!!”

Source:celebrity-gossip

Mariah @ Nick's Birthday Bash

Mariah Announces Merry Christmas II You Tracklisting

Have yourself a Merrier Christmas with MC! Mariah announces the official tracklisting to Merry Christmas II You her new holiday album in-stores November 2.

"Merry Christmas II You is my Christmas gift to all my fans. I wanted you to be the first ones I share this tracklisting with. I'm so excited about it, I hope you love it and enjoy it for years to come!!! LYM4E!!!" ...Mariah Carey

1. Santa Claus is Coming to Town (Intro)

2. Oh Santa!

3. O Little Town of Bethlehem / Little Drummer Boy Medley

4. Christmas Time Is In The Air Again

5. The First Noel / Born is the King (Interlude)

6. When Christmas Comes

7. Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane) / Housetop Celebration

8. Charlie Brown Christmas

9. O Come All Ye Faithful / Hallelujah Chorus feat. Patricia Carey

10. O Holy Night - Live from WPC in South Central Los Angeles

11. One Child

12. All I Want for Christmas is You - Extra Festive

13. Auld Lang Syne - The New Year's Anthem

Oh Santa! Digital Single available everywhere on October 12

Pre-Order Merry Christmas II You on iTunes and receive Oh Santa! instantly - Beginning on October 12.

Source:Mariahcarey.com

Mariah Carey touted for UK “X Factor” Final?

Simon Cowell has reportedly signed up a host of famous faces to perform on this year’s X Factor shows.

Always keen to promote his own acts and brand, Syco singers Alexandra Burke, Olly Murs, Joe McElderry and Shayne Ward are all expected to make an appearance and Susan Boyle is said to be planning a return, to promote her new album “The Gift.”

Cowell is planning performances from Elton John and Mariah Carey on December’s final, and on earlier shows Westlife will perform their new single “Safe,” Take That will showcase their upcoming release “The Flood,” Michael Buble will appear (AGAIN) singing his new track “Hollywood” and JLS will return to the stage.

A source told Celebritain:

“Simon is going to pull out all the stops this year to ensure he tops last year’s record viewing figures. As this is the final UK X Factor until 2012, he’s also going to want to make sure it goes out with a bang.

With no shows like Top of the Pops any more, artist performances like this are a huge treat for viewers, and there are going to be a lot of surprises along the way”.

Source: Unreality TV

Early reviews predict ''Oh Santa!'' to be a Christmas Classic

"OH SANTA!", Mariah's first single from her upcoming album Merry Christmas II You, premiered exclusively on AOL on October 1st. The song immediately spread across the web and garnered beaming reviews from online bloggers and music sites:

"This morning, Mariah Carey graced the world with the first single from her upcoming Merry Christmas II You album, titled "Oh Santa!" It's criminally catchy, obviously, and sure to become the next classic Christmas tune."
--Gawker

"No fair, Mariah--you know we're absolute suckers for handclaps in a bouncy pop song! Nice to hear her pulling out all the stops and sprinkling the tune with some old-school upper octave cooing, too. Mimi mixed with a retro vibe at the holidays is always a win, and "Oh Santa!" is no exception. And after largely ignoring Carey's Memoirs Of An Imperfect Angel singles post-"Obsessed," radio programmers ought to at least warm up to this one as December draws ever closer."
--Idolator

"Mariah Carey's newest song, 'Oh Santa!,' will have people thinking about Christmas even if it's only October."
--AOL Music

"If there was ever a song made for radio then this is it! The catchy melody, the infectious hook and the busy beat will help this song to become an airplay monster in the coming weeks. I feel the Christmas Spirit!"
--That Grape Juice

"It's very festive, darlings!!! The tune is called Oh Santa and it's super cute!"
--Perez Hilton

"Check out an all-new festive song from Mariah Carey's second Christmas album ...This upbeat track will sure help everyone get into the holiday spirit early."
--Just Jared

"Mariah, Mariah, Mariah, no one creates Christmas music like you! AOL's Popeater blog premiered today, "Oh Santa!", Mimi's first single from her upcoming holidays LP "Merry Christmas II You" - which will hit shelves on November 2nd. Love it! Hit, hit, hit! Outstanding effort."
--Direct Lyrics

"The song is very upbeat and fun and could, very possibly, be a big pop hit."
--Pink is the new blog

The song is set to hit the radio airwaves in the coming weeks and judging by the comments from Chicago's B96 Music Director Erik Bradley, "Oh Santa!" is on track to become the next Christmas classic:

"Leave it to MC to create another fun, feel-good Christmas smash. One of the hardest things to do is to make new Christmas music that stands the test of time and not surprisingly Mariah did it all over again. "Oh Santa!" is going to be the 2010 holiday single that comes back every year from now on, just like "All I Want For Christmas Is You" does every Christmas season since it was released. Congrats MC!"
--Erik Bradley

How do you like "Oh Santa!"? Vote at the Huffington Post's poll!

Source:mariahcarey.com

Mariah Carey to Shoot “Oh Santa!” Video Tomorrow

The following details are taken from a cast call advert:

This will be a smash hit video for the highly anticipated Mariah Carey debut single from her new holiday album!!! We are looking for exciting expressive people to be in the crowd during a set up for Mariah’s performance. This will have a slight Outkast ‘Hey Ya’ American Bandstand approach perfectly blending retro and modern vibes. This will be an exciting fun project to be a part of and Mariah’s ‘Audience’ will be highly featured!

HOST: We are looking for a host that is a look alike to Ed Sullivan or Dick Clark. He will be introducing Mariah Carey and her performance! Need someone with a great voice as well!

Start Date: 10/6/2010
Pay Rate: $400.00
Location: Los Angeles

Source: Extra’s Access | Thanks to Roy

Mariah Carey’s Ex-Husband, Tommy Mottola Ready to Tell All

Tommy Mottola is ready to tell of his rise from The Bronx and New Rochelle as a mediocre singer dubbed T.D. Valentine to the head of Sony Music in its heyday, when he was discovering such stars as Shakira, Beyoncé and Mariah Carey — who soon became his wife.

Mottola has signed a deal to write “The Last Starmaker,” to be published by Grand Central Publishing, a division of Hachette Book Group USA, in early 2012.

“It’s time to tell his story,” a friend of Mottola said. “The music industry is virtually over. Cream will always rise to the top. But the days of starmaking are over. Kids today only want one song, not the album, and they don’t know who the artist is.”

Mottola will tell how Walter Yetnikoff brought him into CBS Records, and then turned on him after Yetnikoff self-destructed and lost his job. Since Yetnikoff trashed Mottola in his 2004 memoir, “Howling at the Moon,” Mottola is expected to wreak some payback.

“The Last Starmaker” will also debunk the myth that Mottola was a jealous svengali over Carey. He recently told a friend, “150 [Carey] albums later, my answer is, ‘Kiss my behind.’ ”

According to a source, the book will explain that Carey, who was quite young at the time, came from a “confusing upbringing. Sudden success is enough to intoxicate anybody and to distort the perception of anybody and anything around them.”

Mottola will relate how he signed Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez and then found a song for them to sing as a duet, which was the beginning of their love affair.

One chapter will tell how he strong-armed the Grammys one year to put Ricky Martin on the top-rated awards show, telling producers, “We’re going to pull everyone off the show unless Ricky gets to sing.”

And Mottola will explain why he deserved to make $10 million-plus a year. A friend said, “When people did well around Tommy, they all became wealthy.”

Source: New York Post

Mariah Carey’s “Oh Santa”

Ho ho ho! Christmas comes early this year with the release of Mariah Carey’s “Oh Santa!,” the first single off her second X-Mas album Merry Christmas II You (due Nov. 2).

The original tune, one of four penned by Mariah herself, features sleigh bells chiming under an ebullient piano melody. “Santa’s gon’ come and make him mine this Christmas,” sings Mimi on the Jermaine Dupri and Bryan-Michael Cox production.

Source: Rap-Up Magazine

Mariah Carey, 'Oh Santa!' -- Song Premiere

Picking up where her 1994 hit 'All I Want for Christmas Is You' left off, Mariah Carey will be releasing a brand new holiday album, 'Merry Christmas II You,' on Nov. 2. The record includes four original songs written by Carey, including 'Oh Santa!', the album's first single.

Jingling bells and a plea to Santa open the upbeat, festive track that has Carey wishing that he'll bring her back her "baby" for Christmas. 'Merry Christmas II You' also features a new recording of 'All I Want for Christmas Is You' and some traditional holiday tunes, including 'The First Noel,' 'Little Drummer Boy,' 'O Little Town of Bethlehem' and 'O Come All Ye Faithful.'

Get into the holiday spirit early this year, and check out the exclusive premiere of Mariah's 'Oh Santa!' here!

Source:AOLmusic

Oh Santa single cover

Listen to Mariah's brand new single, "Oh Santa!," exclusively on AOL Music. Her new album, Merry Christmas II You, is available November 2, 2010 on Island/Def Jam. Pre-order now!

Source:Mariahcarey.com

"Oh Santa" Premiering on AOL Music today

Be sure to log on to AOL Music for the world premiere of "Oh Santa," the first single from Mariah's new Holiday album Merry Christmas II You, at 10:00am ET (7:00am PT).

We will be listening to the most anticipated Mariah Carey Holiday song in less than 90 minutes! Be sure to tune in!

Source: MariahDailyJournal

Merry Christmas II You Collector's Box Set

This very special deluxe holiday package includes the Merry Christmas II You CD enclosed in a beautiful silver box (measures approximately 7.5 x 7.5 x 5.5 inches) along with a 40-page hardcover photo album, sticker tag sheet and collectible butterfly holiday ornament.

Buy @ Amazon for $47.99

Buy @ Barnes & Noble for $35.90