Mariah Carey retains her diva reputation. Photo / AP
Supreme songstress
Mariah Carey
's penchant for OTT extravagance and making outlandish diva demands is legendary, but this time she's out-showbizzed herself.
The diminutive songbird was asked to flick on a shopping mall's Christmas lights in London this week, which she embraced with open arms, but not before her list of delicious demands were met.
Fluffy white kittens and confetti, oh my!
So what was on Princess Mimi's wish-list? Oh, nothing too extravagant...
Kooky Carey reportedly demanded on her list - also known as a 'rider' in the biz - that she be surrounded by 20 fluffy white kittens and 100 white doves as she flicked the switch at the Westfield mall in West London.
She also requested that she be driven in a Rolls-Royce along a pink carpet to the pink podium inside the mall - after which she would illuminate the lights with a wave of a 'magic wand'. Oh, and she wanted confetti shaped like butterflies - her favourite insect - to shower her at the end of the ordeal.
The woman's a genius.
There were also reports she insisted on having an entourage of 15 along with 80 security guards.
Her approval...
A snitch told Britain's
Daily Mail
that the model of car she wanted had to be changed six times before she gave her approval.
"We did manage to source the doves that we were going to release into the sky, but the kittens proved terribly difficult."
But while some of her demands were met - including, somewhat surprisingly, a request that she be supplied with water in her dressing room - her kitty demands were met with a resounding NO.
"In the end, it was made clear that due to health and safety, there was no way we could have the animals at Westfield. We do not allow pets into Westfield - that rule would apply for everyone.
"We have worked extremely hard to make sure that Mariah's event is fantastic. Even the model of car had to be changed six times to one that her people liked."
Carey recently revealed that she revels in her diva status - but concedes that she's probably not demanding enough.
"You know what? I guess I am a diva in many ways! When it comes to certain things, yes, I can be difficult and a little bit rigid about what I want. Am I demanding? I don't think I'm demanding enough."
Earlier this month Carey revealed to
Hello!
magazine that she hired extra minders and security during a commercial shoot she starred in with her pooches.
"I had my team with me but the pups had a mini-entourage of their own, of course!" she said. "And why wouldn't they? It was a big shoot and even my entourage had an entourage - my stylist had an assistant, my security had extra security.
"The shoot was based on the fact that some people think I'm a demanding diva," she added. "I have no idea why people have that impression!"
And the diva 'tude doesn't end there. Oh no.
Her people have arrived
The American singer, 39, has also managed to tick off onetime New Zealand television presenter
Philip Schofield
.
Her highness was booked to make an appearance on his British
This Morning
show - but she turned up an hour late for the recorded interview.
Schofield took to his Twitter account with fury and let rip with a rant: "Sitting here twiddling our thumbs waiting for Mariah Carey. la la la laaa," adding: "It's her album... which we will talk about IF she hurries up!"
Followed by a snippy: "Her people have arrived! Although there was still no sign of Miss Carey."
When she finally entered the building, he posted: "She's just changing her mind about what she's wearing!"
After the interview with Carey - who once cancelled a breakfast chat on radio because she "doesn't do mornings" - Schofield posted: "She was subtly apologetic for being an hour late and yes, an entourage the size of Denmark".
Carey's diva demands before she'd agree to the switch-flicking:
* 20 white kittens
* 100 white doves to be released during the appearance
* 80 security guards to keep the public at bay
* Pink confetti in the shape of butterflies
* A Rolls-Royce to drive her through the shopping centre
* A pink carpet for her to trot down as she makes her way to the pink podium
*A personal entourage of 15 "yes" people - including company executives, her PAs and PR people
She left off unicorns, rainbows, leprechauns, fairy dust, glitter, oompa-loompas...
A spokesman for Carey has denied her client had made any demands for kittens and doves, saying: “Mariah has not made any personal requests for anything.”
Hats off to her. When you're that famous and have a voice that can strip paint off a wall at fifty paces, allowances are definitely made for extracting the urine.
Mariah Carey, epic diva, lost in showbiz, you're our hero...
Blogger Bites Back
Pictured: Mariah Carey, and inset, Mouse. Photos AP/Supplied
The Kiwi singer described the track as 'the song I’m proudest of on Virgin'.