Hey, everyone! Welcome. Mariah Carey recently dropped a revamped version of her Christmas hit “Oh Santa,” teaming up with Jennifer Hudson and Ariana Grande for an epic collaboration. I’m buzzing about this for a few reasons. Firstly, Mariah breathed new life into this beloved track. While the original “Oh Santa” didn’t get the recognition it deserved, Mariah smartly enlisted the powerhouse vocals of Jennifer Hudson and Ariana Grande to elevate it to new heights. The result? Pure magic. The arrangement was spot-on, and the vocals were nothing short of spectacular. While much has been said about Mariah and Ariana’s impressive vocal acrobatics, let’s not overlook Jennifer Hudson’s contribution. She brought just the right amount of soul to the table, showcasing her versatility beyond the occasional belting. And when Mariah and Ariana hit those whistle notes in perfect harmony, it was downright iconic. Imagine if Jennifer had joined in too – she’s got those high notes in her arsenal as well! Speaking of Ariana, it felt like Mariah was extending a hand of camaraderie and maybe even passing the torch by sharing that moment with her. It’s a significant gesture, especially considering the rumors of tension between them over the years. I might delve into that a bit later on. [Music] So, who knew Jennifer Hudson could hit those high whistles? Well, now you do! But let’s not forget, Mariah’s collaboration with Ariana was a powerful symbol of unity in the music world.
Before Ariana Grande rose to prominence in the music industry, she first gained recognition as an actress on Nickelodeon’s popular shows, Victorious and Sam & Cat. However, it was her venture into singing covers online that truly catapulted her into the spotlight. Her rendition of Mariah Carey’s “Emotions” went viral, catching the attention of the CEO of Republic Records, who promptly signed her. The label saw in Ariana the potential to be the next Mariah Carey, a comparison that she finds both flattering and humbling. Reflecting on this comparison, Ariana expresses gratitude, stating, “I just wanted to even have my name used in the same sentence. It’s very cool. She’s been an inspiration to me, her and Whitney Houston my whole life, so it’s an incredible compliment and it means a lot to me.”
The media played a significant role in perpetuating the narrative that Ariana was poised to be the next Mariah Carey. This comparison proved difficult for Ariana to shake off, especially considering her early music, such as “The Way” and “Baby I,” bore a strong resemblance to Mariah’s style. Additionally, some of her other songs echoed the sound of Mariah’s unreleased tracks. Though I can’t play examples in this video due to copyright concerns, the similarities are evident.
Notably, Ariana initially planned to title her first album “Daydreaming,” reminiscent of Mariah Carey’s “Daydream” album, further fueling the comparisons. It seemed the industry was steering Ariana towards following Mariah’s blueprint, much to her discomfort. Despite her admiration for Mariah, Ariana possessed her own musical identity, shaped by various influences beyond Mariah’s sphere. She wasn’t merely a Mariah Carey copy; she was uniquely herself. Unfortunately, this distinction wasn’t immediately recognized by audiences, leading to criticism from Mariah’s fans. Online forums and videos were rife with comparisons between Ariana and Mariah, further intensifying the scrutiny.
Some celebrities weren’t too keen on the comparisons between Ariana and Mariah. One outspoken individual was Ariana Grande herself, expressing her respect for Mariah while maintaining her own unique style. Solange Knowles also weighed in, sharing her admiration for Mariah and playfully acknowledging the imitation banter. Ultimately, the consensus seemed to be that while Ariana possesses incredible vocal talent, Mariah remains an iconic figure in her own league.
Well, it seemed a bit questionable at first, but Solange swiftly chimed in, stating, “P.S. I’m here to affirm that Ariana Grande is truly remarkable, one of the finest vocalists of our era, and I believe everyone can attest to that fact. Ariana possesses her own brilliance.” Yet, when she initially emerged onto the scene, comparisons to Mariah Carey were inevitable, and the incessant parallels began to grate on her nerves. Eventually, she reached a point where she preferred not to discuss Mariah in interviews or acknowledge her as an influence in the industry. “When you debut, it’s natural for people to draw comparisons to what’s already established. I take it as a compliment because Mariah is the vocal queen. However, I’m eager for people to experience the entirety of my music and album to truly understand who Ariana is. I want to celebrate my own journey, which is why I avoid comparisons; it’s like setting oneself up for disappointment. So, I’d rather just be myself.” That’s Ariana Grande for you.
Critics have begun to label her as a diva already. Allegedly, during interviews, there’s a strict list of off-limit topics. She refuses to discuss her current or past relationships and anything related to Mariah Carey. “My top five singers include Imogen Heap, India.Arie, Whitney Houston, Stevie Wonder because he’s the king, and Judy Garland. India.Arie and Imogen Heap are my biggest musical influences. Interestingly, none of my favorite albums have won Grammys, nor have my favorite artists achieved number one hits, except Madonna
Over time, Ariana Grande refrained from acknowledging Mariah Carey as one of her influences to steer clear of comparisons. Likewise, Mariah wasn’t enthusiastic about being likened to anyone else and wasn’t keen on the idea of a new “Mariah Carey.” Nick Cannon, Mariah’s ex-husband, delved into this during his Vlad TV interview. He described Ariana as a devoted fan of Mariah’s music, recalling a moment when he shared a video of Ariana singing Mariah’s “Emotions” with Mariah herself. However, Mariah wasn’t fond of the idea of someone being labeled as the next her. Ariana inadvertently made this error by associating herself, or being associated, with being “the next Mariah Carey.” Mariah’s perspective was clear: why create a new version when the original is still here? Ariana, on the other hand, desired to carve her own identity as Ariana Grande, not merely as a successor to Mariah. Despite Cannon’s efforts to bring them together due to Ariana’s admiration and Mariah’s cool demeanor, the tension brewed due to these unresolved perceptions. The clash of egos and perceived competition emerged, leading to a strained relationship between the two talented artists.
They often liken her to a young Mariah. How do you feel about those comparisons? Well, firstly, I still consider myself youthful, as I tend to discount numbers, numerically speaking, you know? I stopped keeping track at 17, so I couldn’t say. Nonetheless, I wish everyone the best of luck. If pursuing this career path is their choice, I hope they can sustain it long-term. Jay-Z always says, “Don’t compare me to anybody. I’m offended.” Mariah agrees with Jay-Z on this. She’s like, “Don’t compare me to anybody.” And she’s entitled to feel that way. By that point, she’d been in the game for over 20 years. Plus, she was still actively releasing music when these comparisons were rampant. She even dropped an album titled “Me. I Am Mariah… The Elusive Chanteuse,” but it didn’t get the recognition it deserved. Meanwhile, the industry was pushing Ariana as the next Mariah. This situation parallels when the industry pitted Mariah against Whitney, but Whitney and Mariah were contemporaries. Whitney had only been out for five years before Mariah entered the scene. Ariana, on the other hand, emerged 23 years after Mariah, by which time Mariah was already hailed as a legend with numerous achievements. So, comparing her to a newcomer seemed disrespectful. More than that, it highlighted the dismissiveness toward Mariah and her legacy. She was older and her vocal style had evolved from her prime. Some saw it fitting to anoint Ariana as the next Mariah because she was younger and her voice echoed Mariah’s from the ’90s. However, Ariana had her own distinct sound and singing style. It took a few years for people to cease comparing her to Mariah Carey. In 2016, a viral meme resurfaced comparing Ariana to Mariah, suggesting a discrepancy between expectations and reality. Demi Lovato commented, “You got it the wrong way around, honey.” She pointed out Mariah’s legendary status and talent but also noted her tendency to slight others. Demi defended Ariana, saying she did nothing wrong.
So, when Demi Lovato made that remark, Mariah Carey’s fans were quick to criticize her, especially when she brought up Mariah’s alleged rudeness toward J.Lo. For those familiar with the history between Mariah and J.Lo, it’s understood that Tommy Mottola allegedly used J.Lo to undermine Mariah’s career in the early 2000s, hence Mariah’s infamous “I don’t know her” comment. Demi’s statement didn’t sit well with many, and Mariah briefly addressed it during her memorable interview on Watch What Happens Live, where she also threw a bit of subtle shade at Ariana Grande. When asked about Demi’s social media shade, Mariah responded with a dismissive “I don’t know her either.” And when Ariana Grande’s name was mentioned, Mariah quipped, “Do you know her?” To the question of whether Ariana’s early career reminded her of Mariah’s, Mariah replied with her characteristic sass, “Cha, I don’t know when early in the career was. I don’t know, a couple of years ago?”
In this interview, Mariah seemed somewhat dismissive towards Ariana once again, likely frustrated by the ongoing comparisons. As a devoted fan of Mariah’s, I have to admit her attitude towards Ariana seemed unnecessarily petty. However, I understand Mariah’s perspective; feeling undervalued by the industry can be disheartening. Yet, I don’t believe Mariah ever harbored genuine dislike towards Ariana. Rather, she likely resented the industry’s attempt to position Ariana as her replacement. Mariah’s legacy is irreplaceable, as is Ariana’s, as both artists have forged their own paths and legacies.
After years of perceived tension between Mariah and Ariana, they finally interacted on social media last year. Ariana extended birthday wishes to Mariah, addressing her as the “queen of everything.” Mariah responded graciously with a “Thank you, darling.” Moreover, Mariah invited Ariana to join her in a rendition of “All I Want for Christmas,” praising Ariana’s contribution. Ariana was visibly moved by the gesture. Mariah took it a step further by collaborating with Ariana, marking the first time she harmonized her legendary whistles with another artist. This was a significant moment, celebrated by both artists on social media. Mariah expressed her love and appreciation for Ariana, making it clear that any rumors of a feud were unfounded. I’m thrilled they could share this moment, and it’s equally heartening that Jennifer Hudson was part of it too.