logo

Mariah Carey reveals why she almost didn't perform with Aretha Franklin during '98 VH1 'Divas Live'

Edduin Carvajal
Nov 26, 2018
08:59 P.M.

During an interview Mariah Carey had in “Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen,” she talked about her performance with Aretha Franklin during the 1998 VH1’s “Divas Live.”

Advertisement

At some point of the conversation, a person called the show and asked what Mariah’s favorite memory was performing with Aretha, to what the singer revealed that the only time they sang together was at the VH1’s “Diva’s Live” in 1998.

Apart from that Mariah said that she was “very intimidated” to share the stage with Aretha, who was already dubbed the “Queen of Soul,” so she told the producers that she would join the background singers instead.

Source: Getty Images

Source: Getty Images

THEY ALMOST DIDN’T REHEARSE

Mariah even revealed that she was about to call off her participation when she learned that they could only rehearse together once. Without naming anyone, Mariah said that Aretha told her that “they” were playing games, “and I’m not having the games. So, we won’t be rehearsing tonight.”

Advertisement
Source: Getty Images

Source: Getty Images

That night happened to be the only opportunity they had to rehearse properly. Even though Mariah admitted that she wouldn’t share more details about the drama of those rehearsals, the singer said that they practiced together in Aretha’s trailer.

Advertisement

After saying that the wouldn’t like to tell the entire story because she has been working on her memoir, Mariah admitted that Aretha went “so far beyond what I could have imagined she would be like.”

Advertisement

THE REASON WHY THEY DID SO

While Mariah didn’t speak about it, Michael Simon, the director of that performance, revealed why Aretha chose not to rehearse. According to him, the Queen of Soul requested the air conditioning to be turned off to protect her vocal cords.

However, when Aretha got onstage, she noticed it was on, so she walked off. Everybody kept asking Michael why the AC was still on, but he had no way to answer that apart from someone probably forgot to do it.

Advertisement

Despite the inconveniences, the concert wherein Mariah Carey, Gloria Estefan, Carole King, Aretha Franklin, Shania Twain, and Celine Dion sang came out almost flawlessly.

Advertisement

THE QUEEN OF SOUL’S PASSING

Unfortunately, Aretha Franklin passed away on August 16, 2018, at the age of 76 due to pancreatic cancer. When the news about her death hit the internet, several celebrities took to social media to share their condolences.

One of them was Mariah, who pointed out that the Queen of Soul was her inspiration, mentor, and friend. “You showed me I could sing the songs I wanted to sing and bring God with me,” added Mariah.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Related posts

Tim McGraw & Faith Hill’s Daughter, 22, Sparks Concerns after Looking ‘Too Thin’ in Photoshoot

May 02, 2024

'Who Is She?': Shania Twain Is 'Unrecognizable' at 58 – Her Transformation Leaves Fans at a Loss for Words

May 14, 2024

Ill Princess Catherine Has One Condition before Meeting Up with Prince Harry, Expert Claims

May 10, 2024

Users Say Lisa Minnelli Looks 'So Fragile' as She Could Barely Walk during Her Last Outing — What Happened?

April 09, 2024

Wynonna Judd, 59, Looks 'Petrified' as She Gripped Loretta Lynn's Granddaughter's Hand on Stage – What Happened to Her?

May 23, 2024

Why Meghan Markle Refused to Join Prince Harry in the UK for the Second Time

May 13, 2024

Boy Finds Old Tube in Late Grandma's Attic, History Teacher Opens It and Gasps – Story of the Day

March 08, 2024

Christina Aguilera Sparks Ozempic Rumors amid Dramatic Weight Loss – Her Transformation in Photos

May 23, 2024

How Shania Twain Resurrected After Divorce from Husband Who Cheated on Her with Her Best Friend

May 22, 2024

Reba McEntire, 68, Turned Heads in 'Spectacular' White Suit with Plunging Neckline

March 13, 2024

6 Must-Read News of the Week: Tom Cruise’s Daughter’s New Name, Princess Anne’s Son’s New Nurse Girlfriend & More

May 17, 2024

Johnny Depp’s Only Daughter, 24, Flaunts Figure in Pink Crop Top & Low-Hanging Skirt in Public Outing

April 28, 2024

Here's Why Julia Roberts' Videos from Taylor Swift's Concert Exploded Online: New Hair & Scratching Travis Kelce

July 03, 2024

Katy Perry, 39, Suffers Wardrobe Malfunction on ‘American Idol’ after ‘Dressing as the Tin Man’

April 17, 2024