Mariah Carey Readies New Christmas Album, Shoots Packaging

It’s only April, but Mariah Carey is already getting in the holiday spirit. The pop diva recently shot the packaging for her new Christmas album with famed photographer David LaChapelle.


U.K. newspaper The Times interviewed LaChapelle while he was prepping for his festive shoot with the singer at his Los Angeles studio. He photographed Carey for her 1999 album Rainbow and directed her “Loverboy” music video.

The seasonal visuals called for a graffitied city backdrop, fake snow, a “hideous” silver tree, and wooden cutout reindeers. “Mariah wanted real ones,” said LaChapelle. “Flown from Nebraska. Can you imagine, real reindeer?”

Despite her request for real reindeer, he insisted the songbird “isn’t a diva,” adding, “She never pisses on the little people.”

Carey hinted that she was working on a new project after scrapping plans for her Angels Advocate remix album. She has been in the studio recording with Jermaine Dupri, but it is unknown where that material will end up.

Her first Christmas album, 1994’s Merry Christmas, has sold 12 million copies worldwide and spawned the classic “All I Want for Christmas Is You.”

Mariah, Nick to Wed a Third Time

Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon will be tying the knot for the third time on April 30, which is their two-year wedding anniversary. Expect a similar blowout in 2011, 2012 ... and beyond, as long as they're together.

"We get married every year! That's our thing," Cannon explained to UsMagazine.com at Monday's PepsiCo Feed America Volunteer Day event in NYC. "So it's going to be our third wedding this year. That's what we'll be doing on the actual [anniversary]... We'll do something... A party or event, just to celebrate."

The Grammy-winning singer is definitely getting more bling from her spouse. Cannon confirmed to Us that he'll be getting his wife another diamond ring for the occasion. "That's totally right," he said. "This is the third ring I have to buy...It'll be something different. Something good."

Carey's engagement ring from Jacob & Co. Jewelers reportedly cost $2.5 million.

After dating for just six weeks in early 2008, Cannon, 29 and Carey, 40, wed on the singer's private island in The Bahamas in a surprise bash. "It's nice," Cannon gushed. "We like being married every year."

Memoirs Dance Remix Album is Coming Out

The Mariah Carey vs. Jump Smokers Remix album, an all-Dance release featuring Memoirs of An Imperfect Angel tracks remixed by the hottest new remixers: Roman, Reydon, V-Skratch and Johnny Digital, collectively known as the Jump Smokers, is still on the schedule and coming out soon, as revealed by the group on their Facebook:

"Wanna put all the Mariah Carey fans at ease: we have been told that our M.C. vs. J.S. Remix Album WILL be coming out!!! We don't have an official date yet (obv that's outta our control) but ya'll will DEF be hearing this project that we all worked SO hard on..."

Special MC Anniversary Contest: Name That Tune

Get ready for a spankin' new contest on MariahCarey.com in celebration of Mariah's upcoming anniversary this Saturday!

On Saturday, March 27, we will be celebrating Mariah's anniversary all day long with a special contest for the fans, inspired by her favorite Twitter game: Name That Tune.

We will be posting 30 (3 + 27!) different sound bytes and images taken from Mariah's wide songs catalog. All you have to do in order to win some amazing prizes, including signed merchandise by MC herself, is guess the songs correctly.

So start popping your Mariah CDs and refresh your memories, let's see how well you know Mimi's music!

Mark your calendars: 3/27, starting at 10:00am EST and all day long on MariahCarey.com. NTT!

Exclusive: Angels Advocate Album Update

After a few false starts, Mariah Carey’s Angels Advocate has been permanently grounded. Instead of releasing the star-studded remix album, the pop diva has turned her focus toward a new studio project.

The ill-fated collection of remixes from last year’s Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel had most recently been set for a March 30 release exclusively at Target stores and iTunes. It was to feature contributions from Snoop Dogg, R. Kelly, Jodeci, Mary J. Blige, and Ludacris, among others.

According to Mariah Daily, select singles may be released from the shelved album. “It won’t go to waste,” assures Carey’s management. Two singles, “Up Out My Face” featuring Nicki Minaj and the Ne-Yo-assisted “Angels Cry” have already been sent to iTunes, while several other tracks have leaked.

But have no fear, lambs. The songbird is already planning her next move. “We are looking to go possibly to another studio album or Christmas album,” says the source. “The decision hasn’t been totally made yet. It’s a creative process that cannot be rushed.”

Nick Reveals Mariah's "Big Surprise"

Mariah Carey sure knows how to stir the pot.

The 39-year-old diva sent bloggers into a frenzy when she teased on the Oscars red carpet that she has "something special on the way." Of course that means she's preggers, right?

We caught up with Carey's other half, Nick Cannon, who let us in on a little secret...

"It's funny because the big surprise has to do with Home Shopping Network or something like that," Cannon revealed at the Stars & Strikes Fundraiser supporting APCH at PINZ in Studio City. "She has a new product coming out. It has nothing to do with kids."

Mimi may not have a bun in the oven just yet, but that doesn't mean it won't happen soon. "We would have a beautiful baby, wouldn't we?" Cannon said. "We're laying the foundation right now. We just got a home out here and all that stuff, and Mariah just came off tour, so we'll see what happens."

In the meantime, the sexy songbird and her hubby are just enjoying married life. "What people don't understand is Mariah has the funniest sense of humor ever," Cannon gushed. "She's hilarious. We always have a good time."

Precious Out on DVD and Blu-ray Today!

The highly-acclaimed Lee Daniels' drama Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire, starring Gabourey Sidibe, Mo'Nique and Mariah Carey, is now out in stores!


You can also purchase Precious online at Amazon.com: DVD for $16.99 or Blu-ray for $22.99. Get your copy today!