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Mariah Carey: The Quarter Latina Queen of Christmas
Mariah Carey’s social media channels erupted with a video that officially marked the arrival of the Christmas season as soon as October and Halloween season ended. A digital clock counted down the seconds to midnight on Halloween, and as soon as November 1st started, a vault door swung open to reveal a winter wonderland.
With a trademark whistle note, Mariah Carey, clad in sexy Santa attire, declared, “It’s time!” And so, with this frosty spectacle, the Queen of Christmas officially commenced her reign.
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Mariah Carey, born on March 27th, 1969, is not just an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress. She’s a phenomenon, an amazing vocalist known as the “Songbird Supreme” by Guinness World Records. Her influence extends beyond her five-octave vocal range and singing style. The diva, renowned for her signature use of the whistle register, seamlessly blended hip-hop with pop, leaving an indelible mark on the industry through her collaborations and a knack for popularizing remixes.
But what makes Mariah Carey truly unique is her undeniable claim to the title of the “Queen of Christmas.” This royal designation is not merely honorary; it’s backed by the enduring popularity of her holiday music, particularly the 1994 classic “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” In fact, this festive anthem stands as the best-selling holiday song by a female artist.
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“All I Want for Christmas Is You” isn’t just a song; it’s a holiday institution. Released 29 years ago as part of her fourth studio album, “Merry Christmas,” the track has become a timeless classic and one of the biggest-selling singles of all time. Every year, when the Holiday season arrives, the song goes straight to number one on every music chart, while the album, selling over 15 million copies worldwide, is among the best-selling Christmas albums ever.
Research conducted by CSGOLuck reveals the enduring popularity of Mariah’s Christmas anthem. While Wham’s “Last Christmas” claims the top spot for the most-streamed Christmas song in the past 50 years, Mariah’s hit secures a close second, with over 1.4 billion plays on Spotify and an estimated $11,854,972 in royalties.
Is Mariah Carey Latina?
Born in Huntington, New York, to Patricia and Alfred Roy Carey, she is the youngest of three children. Patricia, a former opera singer and vocal coach of Irish descent, faced familial disapproval for marrying Alfred, an aeronautical engineer of African-American and Afro-Venezuelan lineage. The Carey surname itself was adopted by Mariah’s Venezuelan grandfather, Francisco Núñez, who migrated to New York, choosing an English/Irish surname to assimilate better into American society.
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Ironically, Carey is an Irish name, and at the time of his immigration, Irish people also faced discrimination. This fascinating blend of heritage becomes more evident as Mariah released an extended-play album titled “Mariah En Español,” featuring seven hits from the 1990s with Spanish renditions.
The Queen of Christmas rose to fame in 1990 with her debut album, guided by Columbia Records executive Tommy Mottola, whom she later married. Her rise included being the only artist to have their first five singles top the Billboard Hot 100, from “Vision of Love” to “Emotions.” As the decade unfolded, she garnered global success with albums like “Music Box” and “Daydream,” earning her the title of the most successful artist of the ’90s in the United States.
After separating from Mottola, Mariah underwent a transformative phase, embracing a new urban image and infusing hip-hop and R&B elements into her music, with the release of “Butterfly” in 1997. Despite facing setbacks, including a highly publicized breakdown and the film “Glitter’s” commercial struggles in 2001, Mariah Carey re emerged triumphant with “The Emancipation of Mimi” in 2005. Its single “We Belong Together” topped the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 decade-end chart for the 2000s.
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Carey’s accomplishments extend far beyond the realm of music. She has dabbled in acting, with roles in films like “Precious,” “The Butler,” and “A Christmas Melody.” The pop sensation also graced the small screen as an American Idol judge and starred in the docu-series “Mariah’s World.” In 2020, she unveiled the memoir “The Meaning of Mariah Carey,” offering fans a deeper understanding of the woman behind the music.
As one of the best-selling music artists globally, with over 220 million records sold, Mariah Carey holds an esteemed place in the Songwriters Hall of Fame, the National Recording Registry, and the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame. Billboard crowned her as the top-charting female solo artist, boasting a record 19 Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles. She also holds records for the most number-one singles as a female songwriter and producer.
Now, as the digital clock on Mariah Carey’s social channels ticks down to the festive season, we witness the grand unveiling of the Quarter Latina Queen of Christmas. Mariah Carey once again takes center stage, bringing with her the joy that accompanies the most wonderful time of the year. So, as the radio plays “All I Want for Christmas Is You” one thing is certain – the Queen of Christmas reigns supreme.
Also Read: The Ultimate Guide to Mexican Christmas Decorations
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