As Mariah Carey’s All I Want For Christmas Is You finally inches towards No.1 after a 26-year wait, she confessed there is one other thing she dreams of at this time of the year.
The diva — who suffered a string of dysfunctional Christmases when she was a child — would like everything to be perfect when she sits down to a festive dinner with her own kids.
Mariah will be spending the Christmas holiday with her nine-year-old twins Moroccan and Monroe, whose dad is her TV presenter ex-hubby Nick Cannon.
The 50-year-old explained: ‘After I kind of emerged from my first relationship-slash-marriage (to music exec Tommy Mottola), I created the Christmases that I wanted to have.
‘A lot of very bad stuff happened to me when I was 12. But also there is the spirit of that kid, that fighter who doesn’t give up, who does embrace who she is, even though the world didn’t understand that from my point of view.
‘I think it’s just that longing, that I had as a child, that I always wanted things to be perfect for the holidays. And they never were.’
The Dreamlover singer told Elle magazine: ‘It was always somebody ruining the moment, always these dysfunctional family members who came around and foiled everything.’
Mimi’s own Christmas present this year could be that elusive top spot for her iconic seasonal song, which has earned her £45million in royalties for more than a quarter of a century.
She is currently residing at No.2 in the charts, only 900 sales shy of Ariana Grande’s position.
More Guilty Pleasures…
Gemma finds solace with her ‘good man’ Rory
Gemma Arterton’s pals have suggested she’ll end up like the much-married Elizabeth Taylor.
Former Bond girl Gemma, who played Strawberry Fields in Quantum Of Solace, wed Peaky Blinders star Rory Keenan, 40, last year. Her five-year marriage to businessman Stefano Catelli ended in 2015.
The actress, who tied the knot for a second time before the age of 34, admitted: ‘I wasn’t really thinking about a relationship or marriage.
‘Even though everyone said to me, “Oh, you’ll be like Elizabeth Taylor; you’re going to get married eight times.” But when I met Rory, very early on I thought, “I hope he asks me to marry him one day!” He has the most beautiful soul.’ And Gemma certainly gave Hollywood legend Liz a run for her money in the glamour stakes by posing in a frothy pink gown for Red.
Explaining what makes Rory a keeper, she added to the magazine: ‘He was raised by amazing parents and has an incredible family.
‘He’s a really good man. I think that as you get older, that’s what you need. I just want to feel like I’m with someone that is good and makes me feel good.’
Read the full interview in the January issue of Red, on sale today.
Give them a call… A tearful Dua speaks out for lonely LGBTQ pals
Dua Lipa fought back tears as she urged fans to reach out to gay friends feeling isolated under the coronavirus restrictions.
Speaking at this week’s Attitude awards, she hoped her chart-topper Future Nostalgia provided some support for members of the LGBTQ community who don’t feel accepted in their own households.
Accepting her music prize, Dua, 25, described 2020 as ‘a year of devastation’, adding: ‘My LGBTQ friends have talked to me about what a vulnerable time this was and how they relied on the support of their friends, particularly if they didn’t have the support at home.
‘The loss of hanging out with friends and losing their safe spaces, it will have been catastrophic. If there is someone vulnerable, who you think could do with a hug, even if it’s virtual, don’t wait for them to reach out to you.’
Banana drama! ‘Manly’ Harry hits back
Harry Styles has mocked those who criticise his love for pearls and a frill by chomping on a banana and declaring: ‘Bring back the manly men.’
In a rare Instagram offering from Hazza, he finally broke his silence on the furore surrounding a recent Vogue magazine shoot in which he rocked out a couple of frocks.
Harry had been targeted by American right-wing commentator Candace Owens who grumbled: ‘There is no society that can survive without strong men… Bring back manly men.’
The 1D star’s mum Anne Twist said last month that he has loved dressing up ever since he was a tot.
Harry told Vogue: ‘What’s really exciting is that all of these lines are just kind of crumbling away.
‘When you take away “there’s clothes for men and there’s clothes for women”, once you remove any barriers, obviously you open up the arena in which you can play.’
From raps to Ricches as Roddy lands on list
Vaccine or no vaccine, Roddy Ricch might as well stay on his couch next year after admitting he earned £15million while remaining horizontal.
The American rapper is celebrating his arrival on Forbes’ annual 30 Under 30 wealth list this year. Now very rich, Roddy, 22, said: ‘I’ve made more this year than I have ever made in life — at home.’
Other music celebrities on the illustrious American line-up include Sweet But Psycho singer Ava Max and Say So star Doja Cat.
Undoing’s Matilda on a nude awakening
The Undoing star Matilda De Angelis has described getting naked for the hit TV drama as ‘liberating’.
The 25-year-old Italian beauty, who played murder victim Elena Alves, flashed everything in her sizzling changing room scenes with Nicole Kidman.
On daring to bare, Matilda said: ‘It’s something that we learned to be ashamed of. But if you start thinking about your body as a tool to express emotions, suddenly nudity is not that big a deal. And it’s actually liberating. I’ve learned how to be even more bold and confident while naked.’
As for that lip lock with Nicole, 53, she added to Interview magazine: ‘I loved it. I was so proud! I think of it as my first kiss.’
I’m not playing Rita any m-Ora! DJ fumes at star’s birthday bash
The fallout from Rita Ora’s lockdown party continues… a radio station is refusing to play any of her hits.
Ben Clark, of Radio Exe’s breakfast show, blacklisted the Anywhere singer after Rita and friends gathered at a London restaurant to celebrate her 30th birthday last weekend — in a breach of the government ban on social occasions.
After playing I Will Never Let You Down, Ben announced he won’t be featuring any more of her music at the station, which broadcasts in Exeter, Devon. ‘I can’t speak for any other Radio Exe presenter but, for the foreseeable future, I’m not playing any of her songs,’ he added.
‘My 11-year-old daughter said to me the other night, “Dad, can one of my friends come round after school?” “No! We’re in a lockdown!” If an 11-year-old can get her head round it then surely Rita can.’ The singer has apologised for breaking the rules and offered to pay a £10,000 fine.
Elliot will be back on TV as Umbrella superhero Vanya
Elliot Page will continue his role as female superhero Vanya Hargreeves in The Umbrella Academy after coming out as transgender.
The Oscar-nominated actor, 33, formerly known as Juno star Ellen Page, was supported by his wife Emma Portner, 26, after making the announcement on Tuesday night.
Emma, a choreographer, said: ‘Love you so much Elliot.’
His co-stars in the Netflix show quickly rallied around on social media.
Tom Hopper, who plays Luther, wrote on Instagram: ‘Elliot, I’m so proud of you, and even prouder to call you family. All the love.’ Justin H Min, aka Ben Hargreeves, added: ‘Love you so much.’
And the show’s executive producer, Steve Blackman, said: ‘Proud of you, Elliot. Love you!!!’
IMDB has already updated the actor’s gender in its credits and the brave move was also praised by stars including Miley Cyrus.
X-Men actor Elliot posted on his own social media: ‘I feel lucky to be writing this. To be here. To have arrived at this place in my life.’
Rebel puts motherhood on ice after finding love with Jacob
After bagging a man and losing weight, Rebel Wilson is moving on to the next stage — freezing her eggs.
It’s all happening for the Bridesmaids star at 40, who points out that she got together with 29-year-old businessman Jacob Busch before plummeting to 12st.
‘I was freezing my eggs because — as all good career women should note — it’s a pretty good time to do it,’ said Rebel.
‘I was thinking about fertility and having good quality eggs in the bank, so I was like, “I’m going to do this. I’m going to get healthy.”’
Meanwhile, she is telling other plus-size ladies they don’t need to lose weight to find a fella. ‘We dated before I started any of this health journey,’ she said of her romance. ‘Ladies: you don’t have to be a certain size to get a boyfriend.’
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