Mariah Carey’s voice has wowed fans for years. But behind the fame, she faced tough family challenges. Recently, she lost her mom, Patricia Carey, and her sister, Alison Carey, on the same day. This makes us wonder: What deep-seated emotions and relationships shaped the personal life of this iconic artist?
In her memoir, “The Meaning of Mariah Carey,” Mariah talks about her close yet complicated relationship with her mom. She calls it a “prickly rope of pride, pain, shame, gratitude, jealousy, admiration, and disappointment.” Her family’s mixed background added to the complexity, with her dad from New York and her mom a Juilliard-trained opera singer.
Mariah Carey chose to step away from her siblings Alison and Morgan for her mental health. This choice highlights how family ties can be fragile and how childhood affects us as adults.
Mariah Carey’s Complicated Bond with Her Mother Patricia
Mariah Carey’s relationship with her mom, Patricia Carey, has shaped her life and career. Patricia, a Juilliard-trained opera singer, greatly influenced Mariah’s music. They shared a special moment singing together in the car as teens.
But Mariah felt jealous of her mom’s success. She wrote that it’s hard when your mom is jealous of your achievements. This feeling was especially tough at a young age.
Childhood Memories and Maternal Influence
Mariah Carey’s relationship with Patricia Carey was complex. Despite the ups and downs, Mariah kept a bond with her mom. She even dedicated a part of her book to Patricia, saying she did her best.
A Strained Relationship Marked by Pride, Pain, and Jealousy
Mariah Carey’s bond with her mom was full of pride, pain, and jealousy. In her book, she shared how their relationship was complicated. She talked about her mom’s jealousy of her success.
Her mom once told her she should hope to be half the singer Patricia is. These feelings of jealousy caused Mariah a lot of pain. It was hard dealing with a mom who was both inspiring and a source of conflict.
“Having people you love be jealous of you professionally comes with the territory of success, but when the person is your mother and the jealousy is revealed at such a tender age, it’s particularly painful.”
Estrangement from Siblings Alison and Morgan
Mariah Carey had a tough time with her siblings Alison and Morgan. She felt like a “stranger” in her own family. They saw the world very differently.
There were violent times, like when Morgan fought with their dad. Also, Alison tried to drug Mariah when she was just 12.
Mariah’s Tumultuous Relationship with Her Older Siblings
Mariah’s life with Alison and Morgan was full of trouble. Violence and misunderstandings were common. They grew apart as kids, leading to a big gap between them.
Mariah felt like she didn’t belong in her own family. Everyone had their own way of seeing things.
The Decision to Cut Ties: “Emotionally and Physically Safer”
Mariah decided to distance herself from Alison and Morgan. She said it was safer for her. Her therapist suggested she “rename and reframe” her family.
She started calling Alison and Morgan her “ex-sister” and “ex-brother.” Mariah realized it was time to let go of her dreams of a close family bond.
“It was emotionally and physically safer for me to not have them around me.”
Mariah’s choice to step away from her siblings was for her own safety. Her story shows how hard it was for her to deal with her family’s issues. She had to protect herself from the turmoil.
mariah carey mom and sister
Mariah Carey’s family faced a lot because her parents, Patricia Carey and Alfred Roy Carey, were from different races. Patricia was white, and Alfred was African-American and Afro-Venezuelan. They lived in a mostly white area, which made life hard for them.
The family went through tough times, like having their car set on fire and their dog poisoned. This was all because of the racism they faced.
This hard life and the stress it brought had a big effect on Mariah’s childhood. In her 2020 book, she shared how being mixed-race was tough for her and her siblings. She felt like she didn’t belong in her own family.
Navigating Mariah’s Interracial Upbringing
When Mariah was just three, her parents got divorced. She didn’t stay close to her father’s side of the family. She mostly grew up with her mom, Patricia Carey, who was a musician.
Being part of an interracial family was hard for Mariah. It got even harder with her fights with her siblings, Alison and Morgan Carey. Alison and Morgan sued Mariah, and Morgan’s lawsuit is still going on.
Tragically, Mariah Carey’s mom, Patricia, and sister, Alison, both passed away in 2022 at 55. This loss was a big blow to Mariah, showing how tough her family life was.
“Growing up mixed-race, with a white mother and Black father, was challenging for me and my siblings. We often felt like intruders in our own family.”
– Mariah Carey, in her 2020 memoir “The Meaning of Mariah Carey”
Honoring Her Father’s Legacy
Mariah Carey has worked to honor her father’s legacy, despite tough times with her parents. Alfred Roy Carey, an aeronautical engineer, was very close to Mariah. They enjoyed Sundays together, making Italian feasts. As Mariah’s career grew, they saw each other less, but they made up before Alfred passed away from cancer in 2002.
Mending Bonds and Restoring Alfred Roy Carey’s Porsche
Since then, Mariah has honored her father in many ways. She wrote a song, “Sunflowers for Alfred Roy,” on her album “Charmbracelet.” She also restored her father’s vintage Porsche Speedster, a car he loved. This act shows her love for her father and his impact on her life.
Mariah’s efforts to honor her father show her deep love and respect for Alfred Roy Carey. Through music, restoring his car, and sharing memories with her kids, Mariah keeps her father’s spirit alive. This is true even when facing personal challenges.
mariah carrey is the best singer. i am sorry about her