logo
Getty Images
Getty Images

Mariah Carey Talks Marriage to Tommy Mottola: ''It Was Almost like Being a Prisoner'

Oyin Balogun
Jul 13, 2019
10:20 A.M.

Mariah Carey says she has only been with five men in her life. She speaks on her first marriage to Tommy Mottola and says she felt almost like a prisoner' throughout the eight years they were married.

Advertisement

Having entered the music business as an innocent teenager thirty years ago, Mariah has more than earned her right to be called a musical icon.

Advertisement

The pop artist has broken tons of records and has more number one Billboard Hot 100 hits than any other female artist in known history.

In a recent interview with "Cosmopolitan," the singer-songwriter discusses an array of topics including her childhood, her multiracial identity, her beginnings in the music industry and the influence she has had on pop music so far.

Advertisement

The iconic musician who grew up on Long Island outside New York City talks about herself growing up as a biracial girl (a mix of African-American, Venezuelan, and Irish) with divorced parents and lots of financial challenges.

Her shaky childhood is one of the reasons she loves Christmas so much. She recounts:

“As a kid, I always hoped for great Christmases, and we didn’t have them.”

“My brother and sister would come back to wherever I was with my mom, and they’d be fighting and ruining the holiday. I would still be like, You know what? I just want to have the best time.”

Advertisement

In another portion of the interview, she discusses her first marriage where she compared herself to a “child-bride.”

Carey met her husband Tommy Mottola when she sent in her demo tape at a time when she was waitressing to make ends meet and writing songs in her free time.

The Sony Music boss was then known as the titan of the industry having worked with Michael Jackson and Céline Dion.

The CEO and Mariah developed a relationship, which quickly turned romantic despite him being 20 years older. The two married soon after Mariah Carey's eponymous debut album became the best-selling record of 1991.

Advertisement

She characterized her marriage to the mogul as controlling, comparing her experiences to "being a prisoner.” She told the news outlet:

"You might want to picture a child bride,”

She added:

“There was a conscious effort to keep me as this all-American, whatever that means, girl. It was very controlled. There was no freedom for me as a human being. It was almost like being a prisoner.”

Advertisement

Motolla eventually called their marriage “wrong and inappropriate,” and the couple later split after eight years.

Mariah Carey, whose precise age has been a subject of debate on the internet for years, talked briefly about her preference for younger men (she’s currently in a relationship with her former backup dancer and choreographer, Bryan Tanaka.)

The songstress who also briefly dated Australian billionaire James Packer, claims she has only been with "five men" throughout her life. She revealed:

“I haven’t had that many, but there has been a variety pack. I’ve only been with five people in my life, so I’m kind of a prude, honestly, compared to most others in the field.”

Advertisement

The American singer has since managed to create 6 number one albums and 18 number one singles (most of which she co-wrote,) win five Grammy awards and dominate the entertainment world with her unique five-octave vocal range.

Recently, Carey joined the Bottle Cap challenge and quite literally took it up a notch by delivering a high note popping off the cap of the bottle instead of a round kick.

Advertisement
info
Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories!
By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy
Advertisement
Related posts

Mariah Carey Stuns Fans in 'Workout Ensemble' with Heels at 54 – Video

January 15, 2024

Mariah Carey's Partner Announced Their Breakup with 'Honest' Statement - 'Round of Applause,' Fan Says

December 27, 2023

Mariah Carey's Fans Notice Singer's Body Has Changed in a New Video: 'Looking Super Lean'

November 26, 2023

Henry Cavill Is Not Gay & Does Not Mind 'Coming across as Homosexual'

November 20, 2023

This Girl, Who Is a Top Singer, Survived a Bombing — She Was Once 'Unrecognizable' but Still Has ‘Cute’ Dimples

November 21, 2023

'Christmas Queen & Princess': Mariah Carey's Daughter, 12, Praised by Fans during Recent Performance with Singer

November 20, 2023

How Mariah Carey's Home Life with Twins Looks Like after Divorce: She Combs Daughter's Hair & Keeps Kids 'Normal'

January 16, 2024

Mariah Carey, 54, Flaunts Her Legs in Asymmetrical Corset Dress with Sheer Train, Sparking a Buzz

February 02, 2024

Mila Kunis Bought Wedding Ring on Etsy & Stayed with Ashton Kutcher amid 'Life-Threatening' Disease

January 11, 2024

‘She Can’t Even Walk’: Cher, 77, Has Fans Worried as She’s Seen Leaving Hotel after Thanksgiving

November 26, 2023

Susan Sarandon’s Youngest Son Is Now in His 30s, Taller than Her & Has Cut His Long Hair

November 22, 2023

Celebrities' Christmas Decorations: ‘The Mall Tree’, Bedecking the Chicken Coop, & Keeping Tree Up as Long as Possible

November 20, 2023

These 5 Girls Are '90s Idols and One of Whom Is Married to a Famous Soccer Player – Quiz

December 20, 2023

10 Celebrities Who Vacationed at Sea in 2023

January 31, 2024