The Bert Show – Vault Interview: Mariah Carey

Release Date: October 31, 2025
Host: Burt & The Bert Show Cast (Kristin, Abby, Cassie, Tommy & more)
Guest: Mariah Carey

Episode Overview

This special “Vault” episode features an in-depth interview with Mariah Carey. The focus is on Mariah’s day-to-day life, her relationship with fame and privacy, the experiences of living in New York both before and after 9/11, misconceptions perpetuated by the media, maintaining her authentic self, and the inspiring story behind her song "Through the Rain." The tone is candid, warm, and often humorous, offering listeners a glimpse into the reality behind Mariah’s celebrity persona.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Mariah’s Daily Life and Balance

• Mariah’s Routine: She describes her days as being packed—meeting fans, attending contest events, enjoying rare moments of solitude like swimming, and spending little time truly to herself.

  • "Yesterday I was in Miami... met a bunch of different fans that were contest winners... then I actually got to go swimming, which was a nice thing because that's like my favorite thing." (Mariah, 02:50)

• Privacy and Public Perception

  • Mariah talks about the challenge of finding privacy, especially in public places where she's recognized instantly, even when trying to blend in without her entourage.
    • "I tried to tone it on down and, like, not have, like, an entourage... but I guess it ended up that you could tell." (Mariah, 03:59)

• Self-Consciousness and Media Exposure

  • She candidly reflects on always being photographed and how everyday moments can turn into something less "cute" when fans and cameras are present.
    • “It's not that it feels calculated... just picture this: you walk in somewhere and there's a video camera on you, and you're not expecting it.” (Mariah, 05:17)

Fame, Personal Freedom, and Living in New York

• No More Driving

  • Mariah reveals she hasn’t driven herself in years for safety and practical reasons, especially in New York.
    • "I'm never driving around because I let my license expire... I'm better off as a passenger..." (Mariah, 05:47 & 06:08)

• Post-9/11 New York

  • Mariah discusses how her view from her apartment was forever changed after 9/11 and how the tragedy shifted the city’s mood—at least temporarily—towards greater warmth and camaraderie among New Yorkers.
    • "I look out my window and my view was the Twin Towers... now when I look out there, it's just really sad." (Mariah, 06:44)
    • "After September 11th, people became very friendly. Like, whoa, you know, we're all in this together." (Mariah, 07:42)

Media, Misconceptions, and Resilience

• Treatments by Media

  • Mariah expresses her nuanced view of the media, understanding their need to sell stories but also describing the frustrations of reading fabrications, even in credible outlets.
    • "You get a lot better ratings saying, Mariah Carey had her 93rd breakdown today and went to 23 fat farms and, you know, beat some guy up on the street..." (Mariah, 08:25)
    • “I used to think that this was actually, you know, they had to fact check... and I would look and see stuff that was completely untrue about myself and go, wow...” (Mariah, 09:20)

• Work Ethic & Burnout

  • Mariah attributes much of the drama in the media to her relentless work ethic and briefly touches on the toll it’s taken.
    • "My main downfall is that I work, like, too much... I work 20 hour days for two months straight, and nobody can do that." (Mariah, 10:02)

• Misconceptions About Her

  • Mariah reflects on the notion that no one can really know a celebrity through media appearances and that misunderstandings are inevitable. She remains grateful for her opportunities despite the rumors.
    • "There will always be misconceptions... I get to sing and write songs and make music... So I'm just grateful for that." (Mariah, 11:36)

Inspiration Behind “Through the Rain”

• Song Story and Message

  • Mariah explains that "Through the Rain" was written during a tumultuous phase in her career as a source of strength for herself and her fans—an affirmation of perseverance and hope.
    • “I wrote it kind of to inspire other people to get through stuff that they were going through... The point of the song, Through the Rain, is you can make it no matter what happens, if you have faith and truly believe that you can.” (Mariah, 12:31 & 13:26)

• Denial of Tabloid Rumors

  • Mariah explicitly denies rumors about suicide attempts:
    • "Don't believe this. Suicide attempts and blah, blah, blah. I'm just not that type of person. No matter what, I always go to the positive..." (Mariah, 13:07)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Public Attention:
  • “I'm not good with saying no to people. I usually try to be little miss, you know, crowd pleaser.” (Mariah, 04:39)
• On Letting Go of False Stories:
  • “Why are you not suing these people? ...You know what? Cause it's not worth it and it'll pass. And like, let it go.” (Mariah, 09:20)
• On the Public’s View of Celebrities:
  • "I'd be watching TV and see some celebrity talking about their woes, and I'd be like, yeah, whatever, you're rich and change the channel." (Mariah, 11:36)
• On Artistic Purpose & Resilience:
  • “That's how I've gotten through my life. I've gone through a lot worse stuff when I was 12 years old than I've been through, you know, at this point in my life.” (Mariah, 13:26)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Mariah Arrives & Sunglasses Comment – 02:32
• Describing a Typical Day – 02:48
• Finding Solitude/Swimming – 03:35
• On Public Attention at the Beach – 03:59
• Being Unable to Say No to Fans – 04:39
• Media Exposure/Constant Cameras – 05:17
• Giving Up Driving – 05:47, 06:08
• Life in New York Post-9/11 – 06:44, 07:42
• Facing Unfair Media Treatment – 08:25, 09:20
• Addressing Misconceptions – 10:02, 11:36
• New Single ‘Through the Rain’ – 12:31
• Refuting Tabloid Suicide Rumors – 13:07
• Mariah’s Farewell – 14:11

Tone & Authenticity

Mariah remains light, genuine, and often self-deprecating. She speaks with humor about her quirks (letting her driver’s license expire), is honest about pressures from fame, and reveals a steady optimism rooted in her experiences and creative passions.

Conclusion

This episode is a must-listen for Mariah Carey fans and anyone interested in the realities of modern celebrity. Through humor and candor, Mariah reveals the highs and lows of her career, her philosophy of resilience, and her steadfast gratitude for her artistry and fans. The interview is as relatable as it is revealing—"Through the Rain," indeed.