Singer and actress Mariah Carey
Singer and actress Mariah Carey is best known for her impressive vocal range and her 1990 debut album. She is the first artist in history to have their first five singles reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100.
In this slideshow, we go back in time and explore Carey’s early days and successful career.
Columbia Records
In December 1988, Mariah Carey handed her demo tape to Columbia Records head Tommy Mottola at a party. Mottola requested to find Carey after hearing her demo and signed her to Columbia Records.
Whitney Houston and Madonna
Columbia Records spent over $1 million promoting Carey, positioning her against Whitney Houston and Madonna.
America the Beautiful
Carey made her public debut on June 5, 1990, at the NBA Finals, singing “America the Beautiful.”
Billboard 200 for eleven consecutive weeks
Her self-titled debut album, Mariah Carey, topped the Billboard 200 for eleven consecutive weeks.
Annual Grammy Awards
Carey won Best New Artist and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the 33rd Annual Grammy Awards.
Worldwide sales
Mariah Carey was the best-selling album in the U.S. in 1991, with worldwide sales of 15 million copies.
Second album
Carey’s second album, Emotions, was released on September 17, 1991, and she co-wrote and co-produced it. The song “Emotions” became her fifth number-one single.
MTV Unplugged
She performed on MTV Unplugged, which included a cover of “I’ll Be There.” The live version of “I’ll Be There” became her sixth number-one single and was released as an EP.
Sold over 28 million copies globally
Carey’s third album, Music Box, was released on August 31, 1993, and produced hits like “Dreamlover” and “Hero.” It sold over 28 million copies globally.
Christmas album
Carey’s Christmas album, Merry Christmas, released on November 1, 1994, became the best-selling Christmas album, with over 15 million copies sold.
Holiday classic
Carey’s lead single “All I Want for Christmas Is You” became a holiday classic.
One Sweet Day
Her song “One Sweet Day,” a collaboration with Boyz II Men, broke records by staying at number one for 16 consecutive weeks.
Heartbreaker
Carey earned the title of top-earning female musician in 1996, making $32 million. Carey’s album Rainbow (1999) included the hit “Heartbreaker.”
Won five Grammy Awards
In total, she sold more than 220 million records worldwide and won five Grammy Awards.