Mariah Carey has a new show on the way, and on Wednesday, the superstar singer shared her vision of the project with television critics.
The entertainer took to the stage at the Television Critics Association Summer Tour in Beverly Hills for a panel for "Mariah's World," in a manner different to most panelists. While the TCA tour (where broadcasters present their newest programming in front of critics and reporters) generally sees panelists walk out on stage, take a seat and tackle questions from the press, Mariah's TCA session began with a brief performance-like entrance that included shirtless male backup dancers.
There was a short burst of dancing, posing and strutting before Mariah took her seat, not on a traditional panelist chair, but on a purple, velvet chaise lounge, accented with gold trim.
Mariah Carey speaks onstage at the 'Mariah's World' panel discussion during the NBCUniversal portion of the 2016 Television Critics Association Summer Tour at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on August 3, 2016 in Beverly Hills (Getty Images)
Mariah tackled a variety of questions, and explained to reporters that the show idea came about because she is going on tour, and she decided, "Let's just show the behind-the-scenes [of] what it really takes to do a tour, what it really takes for all these people to kind of get together and work together and become a family and mainly… watch how the music evolves, watch the process, and watch how the different personalities interact," she said.
The singer added that the series does show her life and this was the right time for it. But don't call it a reality show.
"We call it more of a docu-series because it feels like a documentary," she said.
During the panel, Mariah was asked if her children with Nick Cannon, 5-year-old twins Monroe and Moroccan, will be featured in the series. She explained she has to, "mutually figure it out with Nick," how much they feel comfortable with the kids being on the show.
One reporter asked Mariah what Nick thinks of the show and if he will appear on the 8-episode program.
"I can't speak for what he thinks 'cause he's his own guy and we are not together anymore, but he's cool about being on the show and coming around with the kids and very supportive," she said.
When the reporter asked if her comment meant Nick would be on the show, Mariah quipped, "Well, I didn't say that darling. I said he came around. I don't know what makes the final cut."
She did confirm that her fiancé, James Packer, will be seen on the show.
"Yes, he's part of the series. He's a businessman and that's like his world and I don't try to permeate that situation, so I think he's been very cool in allowing some moments, but you can't – he's not an entertainer, he's not a professional entertainer," she explained. "That's not what he does, so I can't expect him to change his whole thing because like, 'Oh, no, you've got to be interviewed constantly and this and that.'"
Mariah previously was on a reality competition show – "American Idol" – and one reporter asked her what she learned from being a part of that show (she was a judge during Season 7).
"Oh, it was the most abusive experience," she said to laughs, about the headline-making season.
On Wednesday, E! also release a first look at the trailer for the series.
"Mariah's World" premieres Sunday, Dec. 4 at 9 PM ET/PT on E!
