Mariah Carey Got Real About How She Really Feels Being Called A "Diva"

    "Like, what do you do if you grew up with an opera singer for a mother, who went to Juilliard and made her debut at Lincoln Center?"

    Mariah Carey is, obviously, one of one — an absolute legend.

    mariah walking down the street

    If you've been, y'know, alive on this rock we call Earth, you've probably also heard people call Mariah a "diva." A lot.

    mariah sitting on a chair for an interview

    Well, Mariah's finally addressed her history of being called a "diva," as well as why she's pretty much cool with it.

    closeup of maria holding a sharpie to sign autographs

    In a recent interview with W Magazine, Mariah said that she'll sometimes "play into" the "diva" role, although there's plenty more to her than that persona as well.

    mariah on stage singing

    "There are things people are not aware of, because this whole quote-unquote 'diva' thing is always what people see first," she said, before acknowledging that "part of" the persona is "real."

    mariah singing

    "I can’t help it. Like, what do you do if you grew up with an opera singer for a mother, who went to Juilliard and made her debut at Lincoln Center?"

    closeup of mariah

    "There’s just a certain amount that is going to emerge," Mariah continued while discussing any signs of her diva-like behavior — and she also explained that, when she does act that way, it could mean any number of things.

    "[I]t’s just an affectation," she claimed, "and sometimes it’s purposely done, and sometimes it’s just, like, you know, a response."

    closeup of mariah smiling

    Whatever it is, she'll always be icon status regardless. Read the entire interview here.

    closeup of mariah