17 Times Mariah Carey Was An Absolute Diva

...and we loved every second of it.

Mariah Carey Diva Moments

by Grazia |
Updated on

In her 30+ years in the limelight, Mariah Carey has earned herself the reputation of being the ultimate diva — and for good reason. Take this account of what happened when she appeared on the first ever episode of James Corden's Carpool Karaoke back in 2015 as an example...

Apparently, Mariah Carey, 54, didn’t quite get the memo when she agreed to be on the show - the show where the comedian drives celebs seemingly in circles whilst singing along to their classic tracks. Simple, right? Not for Mariah.

Staying true to her diva-ish ways, she refused to sing, instead asking if they could ‘just drive around and have a chat’. Ah, Mariah. After eventually being persuaded to get into the car she then declared, ‘I'm not singing today, I was up all night!’

This interaction is only one of her most diva-like ways, but it got us thinking. For your viewing pleasure, we present the 17 most unforgettable Mariah-isms – from sleeping with 20 humidifiers to requesting 100 doves in her rider – illustrated through her most extravagant Instagram posts...

Gallery

Mariah Carey's Diva Moments - Grazia

Mariah Carey's Diva Moments1 of 18
CREDIT: Instagram/mariahcarey

Mariah Carey's Diva Moments

Do not speak to Mariah the day before a performance. She cannot under any circumstances speak ahead of performing. If anyone wants to communicate with her they have to do so through writing or sign language so that she can preserve her voice.

Mariah Carey's Diva Moments2 of 18
CREDIT: Instagram/mariahcarey

Mariah Carey's Diva Moments

In case this isn't enough to preserve her heavenly tone, Mariah takes extra precaution and sleeps with 20 humidifiers in her room to care for her voice. Her bedroom even has a sloped ceiling to allow the water to drip down the sides.

Mariah Carey's Diva Moments3 of 18
CREDIT: Instagram/mariahcarey

Mariah Carey's Diva Moments

Mariah, vain? Non. Apparently the star went to extreme lengths to ensure her twins were welcomed into the world to the sweet, sweet sound (of her own voice). Mariah admitted she played a live version of her song 'Fantasy' so that they could hear the applause of a standing ovation as they entered the world.

Mariah Carey's Diva Moments4 of 18
CREDIT: Instagram/mariahcarey

Mariah Carey's Diva Moments

Mariah believes she should be treated like royalty, or even given presidential status, as she stormed out of President Obama's inauguration ceremony because she couldn't understand why she wasn't on the same table as the First Couple...

Mariah Carey's Diva Moments5 of 18
CREDIT: Instagram/mariahcarey

Mariah Carey's Diva Moments

Never speak over Mariah. During a 2008 Good Morning America performance of Touch My Body one of Mariah's backup vocalists was singing a bit too loud for her liking so Mariah didn't hold back and sang, 'Stop singing my part now, baby.' Awkward.

Mariah Carey's Diva Moments6 of 18
CREDIT: Instagram/mariahcarey

Mariah Carey's Diva Moments

Always lay out a red carpet for Queen Mariah. Back in 2005, Mariah made reservations to stay at the Baglioni Hotel in London. However, she refused to get out of her limousine until the hotel provided a red carpet lined with white candles. We feel bad even asking for room service...

Mariah Carey's Diva Moments7 of 18
CREDIT: Instagram/mariahcarey

Mariah Carey's Diva Moments

Her work day is designed to fit around her nap schedule. An idea we'll be pitching to our boss…

Mariah Carey's Diva Moments8 of 18
CREDIT: Instagram/mariahcarey

Mariah Carey's Diva Moments

Mariah reached next-level diva after appearing on the GMTV sofa back in 2009. After worrying her dress may crease, Mariah refused to sit down without assistance from two producers.

Mariah Carey's Diva Moments9 of 18
CREDIT: Instagram/mariahcarey

Mariah Carey's Diva Moments

Mariah doesn't celebrate birthdays and manages to dismiss any questions as regards to her age. Mariah told Out magazine, 'I don't count years, but I definitely rebuke them - I have anniversaries, not birthdays, because I celebrate life, darling.'

Mariah Carey's Diva Moments10 of 18
CREDIT: Instagram/mariahcarey

Mariah Carey's Diva Moments

Mariah is never in flats. She even takes it further than VB as proven when she appeared on MTV's Cribs using gym equipment in heels. She was once even quoted saying, 'I can't wear flat shoes. My feet repel them.' Obv.

Mariah Carey's Diva Moments11 of 18
CREDIT: Instagram/mariahcarey

Mariah Carey's Diva Moments

In 2009, Mariah Carey was in charge of turning on the Christmas lights at Westfield shopping centre. Mariah reportedly requested 20 white kittens and 100 white doves to be released upon arrival. Just because. Her request wasn't fulfilled.

Mariah Carey's Diva Moments12 of 18
CREDIT: Instagram/mariahcarey

Mariah Carey's Diva Moments

Don't ever try and put mascara on Mariah. The singer admitted to US Weekly magazine, 'I hate mascara. I never wear it. Whenever a makeup artist tries to put it on me, I throw a fit.' You've been warned.

Mariah Carey's Diva Moments13 of 18
CREDIT: Instagram/mariahcarey

Mariah Carey's Diva Moments

Don't ever ask her for a selfie with Mariah if you've got a selfie stick. 'That way, I can control it. I don't need to take a selfie with someone from their bleak angle; I don't care for that,' she told Buzzfeed.

Mariah Carey's Diva Moments14 of 18
CREDIT: Instagram/mariahcarey

Mariah Carey's Diva Moments

Perhaps the most infamous line of all time now. Remember when Mariah claimed she'd never heard of J-Lo? We'll leave it there.

Mariah Carey's Diva Moments15 of 18
CREDIT: Instagram/mariahcarey

Mariah Carey's Diva Moments

Turns out Mariah feels the same way about lighting as she does her camera angles as the singer explained in her reality show why she wears sunglasses indoors. 'I have a rule which states that I will not be seen in fluorescent lighting without sunglasses,' she said. 'I know it's very Nineties.'

Mariah Carey's Diva Moments16 of 18
CREDIT: Instagram/mariahcarey

Mariah Carey's Diva Moments

Back in 2008, Mariah was required to fly low-budget for film Tennessee. She surprisingly agreed but of course booked out the entire plane so she could have the cabin all to herself. Goals.

Mariah Carey's Diva Moments17 of 18
CREDIT: Instagram/mariahcarey

Mariah Carey's Diva Moments

In 2011, Mariah appeared on online shopping channel HSN to sell jewellery and demanded the camera crew only film her from her good angles. She also wasn't best impressed when her earrings fetched for a mere £27...

Mariah Carey on stage 18 of 18
CREDIT: Getty

LA Pride in the Park - Day 2

And the latest Mariah diva story is a rumour that she requests 100 doves in her rider when she's on tour. It's obviously a completely insane request, but diva is as diva does!

READ MORE: Beyoncé Through The Years

Gallery

Beyonce through the years STACKED

Beyoncu00e9 as part of Destiny's Child1 of 17
CREDIT: u00a9 Shutterstock

Beyoncé (1990)

Beyoncu00e9 (1999)2 of 17
CREDIT: u00a9 Shutterstock

Beyoncé (1999)

Beyoncu00e9 (2000)3 of 17
CREDIT: u00a9 Shutterstock

Beyoncé (2000)

Beyoncu00e9 (2001)4 of 17
CREDIT: u00a9 Shutterstock

Beyoncé (2001)

Beyoncu00e9 (2002)5 of 17
CREDIT: u00a9 Shutterstock

Beyoncé (2002)

Beyoncu00e9 (2003)6 of 17
CREDIT: u00a9 Shutterstock

Beyoncé (2003)

Beyoncu00e9 (2003)7 of 17
CREDIT: u00a9 Shutterstock

Beyoncé (2003)

Beyoncu00e9 (2004)8 of 17
CREDIT: u00a9 Shutterstock

Beyoncé (2004)

Beyoncu00e9 (2005)9 of 17
CREDIT: u00a9 Shutterstock

Beyoncé (2005)

Beyoncu00e9 (2007)10 of 17
CREDIT: u00a9 Shutterstock

Beyoncé (2007)

Beyoncu00e9 (2010)11 of 17
CREDIT: u00a9 Shutterstock

Beyoncé (2010)

Beyoncu00e9 (2012)12 of 17
CREDIT: u00a9 Shutterstock

Beyoncé (2012)

Beyoncu00e9 (2013)13 of 17
CREDIT: u00a9 Shutterstock

Beyoncé (2013)

Beyoncu00e9 (2015)14 of 17
CREDIT: u00a9 Shutterstock

Beyoncé (2015)

Beyoncu00e9 (2016)15 of 17
CREDIT: u00a9 Shutterstock

Beyoncé (2016)

Beyoncu00e9 (2017)16 of 17
CREDIT: u00a9 Shutterstock

Beyoncé (2017)

Beyoncu00e9 (2018)17 of 17
CREDIT: u00a9 Shutterstock

Beyoncé (2018)

READ MORE: The Definitive Proof That Mariah Carey Invented Christmas

READ MORE: Blue Ivy’s Diva Demands On Jay Z’s Tour Revealed

Just so you know, whilst we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this website, we never allow this to influence product selections - read why you should trust us