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  • The Meaning of Mariah Carey

  • Written by: Mariah Carey
  • Narrated by: Mariah Carey
  • Length: 11 hrs and 17 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (717 ratings)

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The Meaning of Mariah Carey

Written by: Mariah Carey
Narrated by: Mariah Carey
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Publisher's Summary

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 10-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   

About the author and narrator: 

Mariah Carey is an American artist of Black and Irish ancestry. 

She is an award-winning singer, songwriter, producer, actress, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. She has recorded 15 studio albums and holds numerous industry records, including the most number-one singles of any solo artist in history. 

She has received many accolades, honors, and distinctions throughout her career, including the Congressional Award for her charitable work with youth through the Fresh Air Fund's Camp Mariah. She is an inductee into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Carey remains forever thankful and fiercely loyal to her global family of fans. 

Ms. Carey is the mother of two children, Moroccan and Monroe.    

©2020 Mariah Carey (P)2020 Audible, Inc.

What listeners say about The Meaning of Mariah Carey

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LOVE MC BABY!

This book is some great insight to Mariah Carey’s life and songs that she was writing take in her beautiful memories darling’

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THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING

I laughed, cried, giggles and cried some more along the way with you Mariah Carey! This was everything and more for all of us Lambily. It tugged at my heart strings whenever you mentioned us (your fans), and how much you adored us. Now I'm going to listen to this entire book again while reading along with the book!! Hearing you read, and sing along the way felt like you were right there with me on the couch having a few splashes while you regaled me with your stories. gosh, what a feeling. THANK YOU, THANK YOU SO SO MUCH for giving us this wonderful gift, YOU. we love you forever. -marian

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Huge fan

As a life long fan of Mariah Carey, I so appreciate her honesty and inspiration in this book. as she narrates her own story, I have great admiration for her truly gentle and kind heart

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Exceptional Writing of an Exceptional Story

This is a fantastic literary work of art that discusses some major themes in life. Race, identity, delicate family relationships, abuse and overcoming.
Mariah’s reading makes the experience very intimate and is necessary for this audio. It is her story, no one else could have read it and, sang it in parts, like her.
Whether for a fan or not, this is a very enjoyable and utterly fascinating material.

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amazing

I have waited this book for my entire life. I can't believe mariah actually perform the whole book herself

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Perfect book

This is the best on Audible, can't believe its Mariah Carey's voice reading the whole book.

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Mimi doesn't disappoint!

This book was everything I wanted from Mimi, a little tea, a dash of shade with still a little mystery remaining.

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A Diva Defined

I highly recommend this book to anyone who feels less-than, lonely, not good enough, an outcast... (and many other adjectives). I especially enjoyed Mariah’s humility. As a lamb (die-hard Mariah fan) it’s wonderful to hear her be so open about things she never really expanded on previously. The audio version of this book is amazing. Mariah includes many a cappella moments of songs she’s preformed thousands of times and songs she had rarely or never performed live. I believe this book did everything that Mariah had intended it to do. I now know the meaning of Mariah Carey.

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  • S.
  • 2020-09-29

Outsold the bible

"Mariah Carey is biblical" - Adele
We, as a species, do not deserve such a well-crafted work of art. Cheers Queen Mariah.

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Love her and this book

Mariah reading her own biography has been the loveliest treat for my ears! She is a great storyteller, writer, and singer, no doubt. I most enjoyed her impromptu singing and background info re her inspirations behind those famous lyrics. I will always be a LAMB!!

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  • Anonymous User
  • 2020-10-04

Entertaining glitz glam smoke and mirrors - not the whole story.

This is Mariah’s story - I wish she addressed her bipolar diagnosis in 2001 and her subsequent admission almost 20 years later so much seems missing because she leaves this part out. It feels like she’s denying a part of it and because of that I feel like I didn’t get to really know who this woman is - only who she wants us to be. She presents as a victim often. Most impressive is her commanding storytelling which is enveloping and immersive. The audio performance is relaxing and thrilling to hear her sing often as well as her moving reading of many emotionally heavy parts.

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82 people found this helpful

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  • Zakkry Walls
  • 2020-09-29

Phenomenal

Mariah... we may have thought we knew her but until you have completed this book, you do not know her. The glitz and glam have covered up years of hurt and betrayal but with the help of good friends, her faith, family, and fans, Mariah overcome many obstacles. I’m proud to be a Lamb. Mariah, thank you for allowing us into your life. This is a beautiful book!

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  • Anonymous User
  • 2020-09-29

Holy Crap it's Really Her!

I can't believe she's reading it herself! I will own a physical copy but until it arrives I thought why not use a credit to have it on my phone 🤷‍♀️ I never thought it would be her actually reading it herself but boy what a surprise and a treat! No one holds a flame to Mariah and could never tell her story they way she would/ can /did! I feel like I have the best of both worlds, a tangible book to cherish and the author, & my favorite person of all time, reading it to me on the go!

This project was a long time coming and will crush all the little "unofficial" biographies I used to buy as a kid so I'm ready to have my wig snatched! Thank you God for small miracles in the midst of one of the globally agreed worst years of the century! 🙏❤🐑

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  • J. Morrison
  • 2020-10-05

It Was A Struggle To Finish

I honestly wanted to like this book. I've been a fan of hers for a long time. But it was a struggle. The story would jump from her childhood, to her relationship with Tommy Mottola, back to her childhood, then to 2001, etc. I had to check my phone to see if it was on shuffle.

Mariah also isn't the best at story telling. For someone with a five octave range, it was terribly monotone and deadpan.

If the book was chronologically in order and she had more life behind her storytelling? It would be five stars. But it's a 3 star at best.

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  • Anonymous User
  • 2020-09-29

Legendary and tantalizing!

Mariah is just an incredible woman and human being! Her voice is timeless just like her personality. I love her so much, thank you for letting us in your private life. This book is astonishingly written. Ms. Carey's songwriting is applicable to anything she puts in writing. Love you❤️

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  • Anthony M.
  • 2020-09-29

epic

Legend, Queen, Genius! truly a multi talented, resilient person with impeccable story writing and telling!

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  • Kiri
  • 2020-09-30

The Emancipation of One Mariah Carey

Mariah The Carey, or Mimi as her closest friends call her delivers a gripping tale but not one of two cities. No, in fact, The Meaning of Mariah Carey takes you a journey of her most personal moments and her most public hour. She regales the life of a wayward biracial child who never knew how to fit in and perhaps never needed to fit in because she, was meant for far greater isles. From racists children to possessive manchilds, from having nothing and no one to having all she wanted for Christmas, this scared little girl just wanted to sing and be free to play in her musical sandbox. Mariah is at her most vulnerable and most POWERFUL as she unravels and upends all that we (well the media) thought they knew about who and what she is. In undergoing this road long travelled, you will gain a fair bit of acknowledgment, sympathy, and remorse of who she is but do not get it twisted, Mimi does not need your tears or pity. Afterall she's a born DIVA, an Aries Dahling! This book is a true gift to the Lambs (her fans) and even to those who may not have thought she had much depth and nuance behind that fiery persona; she's so much more! Mariah will undoubtedly go down as one of the Greatest Vocal legends of our time, eh of several decades. What's a decade again?

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  • Lupe
  • 2020-09-29

Amazing!

I ordered the hard copy & to my I Book but I’m so glad I got the audible! Hearing Mariah read her memoir & her voice makes the book so much better! Mimi is one of the greatest & glad she released this amazing book

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  • Susan Linsenmayer
  • 2020-09-29

The Meaning Of Mariah Carey

I haven’t finished yet, but this is beautifully written. If Mariah wasn’t a singer, I could definitely see her as an author.

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  • MEGAN
  • 2020-10-28

A little biased, but a well worth it read

Loved that Mariah narrated it, I mean who better to do so? I have been a huge Mariah fan literally my whole life, from 1990 till today. She's been such an influence on who I am today. However I found it disheartening the way she constantly talked of white people. She almost made it sound like she doesn't really like white people. Her mother is white and she spoke of her like she almost hates her. And I get it, her mother wasn't the kindest to her, and she was discriminated against by white people. But as a white woman who idolizes her, it kind of hurt to think my idol doesn't like people of my kind. It was also annoying how she kept going on and on about police brutality and BLM. Every chance she got to make a political statement she did. She didn't mention much that true lambs didn't already know, but I did enjoy hearing some of the short stories she included that she's never told before, and now when I watch old interviews or listen to old songs of hers it puts a whole new meaning behind it. Old videos even, knowing she's under Tommy's watchful eye. Always be My Baby remix with DaBrat, the video has an interesting back story that's included in this book. I still love Mariah and will always be a fan.

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  • cherymood
  • 2020-10-25

Fragile, forte, talentueuse et humaine !

Mariah Carey nous livre une performance exceptionnelle après 30 ans d'une fabuleuse carrière. Oubliez les interviews, ragots, écoutez Mariah exprimer SA vision, ses souvenirs, cette force qui l'a conduite à tant de succès. Une artiste à part entière qui n'oublie pas d'où elle vient, et qui honore ses fans à chaque moment. Comme les chansons qu'elle écrit, ce livre inspire et même si l'on ne se sent pas proche de sa musique, avec ce livre, on ne peut que se rapprocher de l'artiste, de l'humain.

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  • Sasha Benyahia
  • 2023-05-06

Only audiobook I’ve ever finished and relistened

Buy it. Fan of Mariah or not -which I’m not.
Buy it. You won’t regret.

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  • VIAL Nassim
  • 2023-01-15

Bible of The Queen

This is the bible to every lamb out there. It's honest, emotional, full of funny facts behind iconic moments. The begining of the book is very sad. Mariah is a fantastic reader, her smooth voice is solo relaxing. I love the snippet she does to introduce songs. If you want to really know what and why and how she did this amazing breaking record career , you must listen to this masterpiece.

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  • Anonymous User
  • 2022-12-07

Les mémoires de Mimi

Le fait que ce soit elle qui raconte son histoire est encore plus précieux, j’avais l’impression de m’asseoir avec elle et de partager un moment en toute intimité. Je comprends mieux son parcours ses choix et son immense talent, elle se livre avec simplicité et sincérité ce qui me fait l’aimer encore plus ✨🤍✨ Une vraie écrivaine et conteuse de talent en plus de cette voix divine qu’elle nous offre en cadeau. Bless you Mariah 🙏🏼

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  • Fanny W.
  • 2022-04-15

Touching story

Such a beautiful human being. It is a book well written et well read/performed. A must read!

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  • Vinisan
  • 2021-08-23

Worth the time

I recommend this book to all the fans obviously but also to anyone else.
it's really interesting and eye opening on Mariah's life and can change one's mind about her and her diva manners and made up character. She's a beautiful person whom had been through so much.
All the love to you Mariah xx.

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  • Martina
  • 2021-04-08

Touchant, drôle et different

Mariah mélange des histoires de sa vie avec des extraits des chansons de l'époque. Trop beau. Si vous parlez pas couramment anglais n'ayez pas peur, elle parle clairement et le vocabulaire du livre n'est pas très compliqué.

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  • Anonymous User
  • 2021-02-28

Mimi for ever love

J'ai adoré ce livre. Entendre et écouter Mimi fut un plaisir pour moi même si je ne comprenais pas tout. J'ai adoré les passages chantés, et les différentes intonations. Un plaisir vraiment.

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  • Bouthors
  • 2021-01-15

Unique

Lire et écouter la plus belle voix de ce monde, sa musique, ses chants, ses rires, ses pleurs...
Une expérience magique pour connaître l’histoire et le sens de Mariah Carey !
Rien à dire

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  • Natacha
  • 2021-01-07

Des mémoires agréablement sincères

Alors que l'on pouvait craindre des mémoires langue de bois, Mariah Carey se livre avec sincérité sur son enfance d'enfant métisse dans une Amerique raciste, son accession à la gloire et la création de ses albums... Et révèle la femme touchante, remplie d'humour et l'artiste exigeante derrière son image de diva.

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