“Some of us need to be rescued, but everyone wants to be seen.” – 3.5/5 stars!

Attention! This book contains: pianos, Marilyn Monroe posters, legends, toxic family, music videos, whistle notes, acting classes, high heels, long relationships, racism, songwriting and therapy.

It took me a lifetime to have the courage and the clarity to write my memoir. I want to tell the story of the moments – the ups and downs, the triumphs and traumas, the debacles and the dreams, that contributed to the person I am today. Though there have been countless stories about me throughout my career and very public personal life, it’s been impossible to communicate the complexities and depths of my experience in any single magazine article or a ten-minute television interview. And even then, my words were filtered through someone else’s lens, largely satisfying someone else’s assignment to define me.

This book is composed of my memories, my mishaps, my struggles, my survival and my songs. Unfiltered. I went deep into my childhood and gave the scared little girl inside of me a big voice. I let the abandoned and ambitious adolescent have her say, and the betrayed and triumphant woman I became tell her side.

Writing this memoir was incredibly hard, humbling and healing. My sincere hope is that you are moved to a new understanding, not only about me, but also about the resilience of the human spirit.

Love,
Mariah

To say my mother is a hardcore Mariah Carey fan would be an understatement. I personally didn’t know a lot about Mariah other than some of her most popular songs, so I decided to pick up her book and finally learn about her backstory – you know, since she is my mother’s Idol and all.

I have found a few interesting things in this book that I would never know if I didn’t read it. For example, I knew she had a really hard time with racism growing up, but I had no idea how painful and stressful her family life was. Her relationship with her family was what stood for me the most and I was shocked with what I read. I was so impressed to see how she blossomed with almost zero support from her family. If her mother and siblings really are like that, I feel sorry for Mariah. Seriously, that was another level of toxicity!

I also didn’t know about her abusive marriage. Being married to someone who is so manipulative and controlling can destroy an individual. I’m glad she eventually got out of it and she got to be herself again. She deserves better!

Now, to be completely honest, I need to say this: I have read a good amount of memoirs to the point that I can confidently say that if you are looking for an inspirational real story, I would recommend other memoirs – for example Michelle Obama’s memoir. For me this was an okay book, in the sense that even though I learned a lot about Mariah’s life, it wasn’t the most inspiring life story ever. I’m glad I picked it up because it gave me an opportunity to know her as a person and her life, but I can think of more inspiring stories.

I can now share her story with my mother, and I know she will be eager to listen! Her fans, the Lambs, would love this book.

xoxo,