A couple of months ago, I wrote about Ariana Grande and how she’s being touted as the next Mariah Carey. A tall order indeed but she definitely has the chops to live up to those lofty expectations. Her debut single debuted in the Billboard Hot 100 Top 10. Ten weeks later, “My Way” featuring Mac Miller finds itself back in the Top 10 this week. It’s clear people are starting to fall in love with the track and hopefully her as well.

In honor of her return to the top tier of Billboard’s main chart, I thought I’d share this gem of hers. The 19-year-old singer covered one of my favorite Mariah Carey tracks last year. Personally, I’m glad she chose “Emotions” as it allows people to compare the two singers easily. No other female singer on radio right now could even remotely hit the high notes on this classic summer track like Carey. For Ariana it’s a breeze. Check out her rendition below. She does Mariah justice.

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I’m not sure an explicit version of “#Beautiful” was necessary, but Mariah Carey did. The 43-year-old offers up an alternate audio and video version of her current Top 20 hit. Apparently Mimi felt a few expletives were missing. Normally, I’m not a fan of gratuitous usage of the F-bomb, but Miguel uttering “f**king beautiful” is sorta hot.

If you’re favorite parts of the video were the barn scenes, you’re in luck. Gone are shots of Carey riding bitch on a motorcycle. The alternate visual is fully set in the barn with more time focused on Mariah dancing in front of the “Adorn” singer who BTWs looks even cuter in this version. His mischievous smirk is supes sexy.

Even though I don’t mind the new #explicit cut, I would’ve much preferred an official remix. I’m not sure this cut will help propel the track much higher than its current Top 20 peak. Check out the new version below.

watch the alternate version after the jump

American Idol must be in serious suck up mode after that reported secret plan to oust Mariah Carey midseason was made public. How else can you explain the fact they let Carey’s brand new music video air in its entirety. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think that’s ever been done for any of the judges before. Usually the video is aired up to the second verse before they cutaway, but not for the #diva that is #Mimi.

Out of protest for the silly hashtag in the song title, I”m going to overuse the ever so trendy symbol. “#Beautiful” is vintage Mariah at her best. If you love Mimi wearing #tootight and #revealing clothing and #flippingherhair in slow motion, then you’re going to love the Joseph Khan-directed visual. It’s #fun, #flirty and #fourtyplus. I’m not sure if it’s Khan’s masterful use of #softlighting or some other sort of other magical powers, but the 43-year-old is serving #Butterfly realness. She hasn’t aged a day since those #glorydays.

The clip begins with Carey #ridingbitch on Miguel’s motorcycle. It then segues to her #writhing on the bike solo and eventually executing some #privatedancing a la #TinaTurner in a #beautiful room with gorgeous #chandeliers as Miguel sits in a hot #vintagecar. It’s fairly simple in its concept, but a solid accompanying visual. Check it out below.

watch the music video after the jump

After spending several months sitting side by side with Randy Jackson on the American Idol judging panel, it appears Mariah Carey is tired of him. The 43-year-old singer is dumping the Dawg as her manager. Carey now jumps into bed with Red Light Management, joining other artists such as Alicia Keys, Faith Hill, Miley Cyrus and the Dave Matthews Band to name a few.

According to Showbiz 411, Carey officially parted ways due to their schedules being “too hectic.” I smell BS. Jackson was reportedly instrumental in brokering her record-setting $18 million deal to join him on the FOX show this season. I wonder how much Randy scored in commission from that deal.

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The Butler doesn’t even hit theaters in limited release until October 18, but the film is already generating Oscar buzz. Given the talent behind and in front of the camera, plus the Weistein Company in its corner, the film’s future during the 2013-14 Awards Season is looking pretty bright. Those Weinsteins really know how to launch an Oscar campaign.

Most likely benefiting from that will be Forest Whitaker and Oprah Winfrey. Whitaker plays a man who served as a White House butler for eight American Presidents over three decades. It’s based on the true story of Eugene Allen, who came to the White House in 1952 until his retirement in 1986. The film traces the dramatic changes that swept American society during this time, from the civil rights movement to Vietnam and beyond, and how those changes affected this man’s life and family.

Along with Winfrey and Whitaker, the film also stars Alex Pettyfer, John Cusack, Robin Williams, Terrence Howard, James Marsden, Alan Rickman, Liev Schreiber, Melissa Leo, Minka Kelly, Jane Fonda, Cuba Gooding Jr., Jesse Williams, Vanessa Redgrave, Mariah Carey, David Oyelowo, and Lenny Kravitz. Check out the newly-released trailer below.

watch the movie trailer after the jump

The annual Met Gala took place last night at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Fashionistas and celebrities donned their couture best to embody this year’s theme, “PUNK: Chaos to Couture.” The red carpet pictures have been working their way online since last night, but now it’s the photos from inside the gala that are making the rounds.

Out of all the pictures that Nicki Minaj could’ve snapped inside the event, the 30-year-old rapper posted two that seem to take aim at her fellow American Idol judge. First up is a “chance” meeting with Tommy Mottola and his wife, singer Thalia. If you recall, Mottola was the man behind Mariah Carey’s success. The two were also married but ended in a bitter divorce. He recently published a tell-all book on his time with the multi-octave vocalist.

Second up is an Instagram pic of Jennifer Lopez and Barbz. Recently, there were rumors that American Idol had a secret backup plan to replace Carey midseason with Lopez. All parties have denied it, but since that report came out, there have been more tense interactions between Carey and Minaj on and off the panel. Just last week, Nicki called out Mariah on Twitter about being old and insecure. Ouch. Check out the pics below.

check out the pics after the jump

There are no words. This is hands down Mariah Carey’s best new song in ages. The title of the track, “#Beautiful“, says it all. It’s a beautiful mid-tempo track where Mariah’s vocals shine. It’s vintage Carey but with an updated vibe. The twangy guitar loop provides for a catchy soothing listen. I have no doubt this single will be more “triumphant” than her last track. Memba “Triumphant (Get ‘Em)?” That was one hot mess.

My only complaint about the song is the title. That hashtag will become more annoying to type out than the ! in P!nk or $ in Ke$ha. Who am I kidding? That dollar sign is the worst ;) Check out the track below where surprisingly Miguel takes the lead. I just that guy. He’s my modern day Maxwell. His voice just makes me melt.

listen to the track after the jump

Must be nice to have so much disposable income. Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon celebrated their fifth wedding anniversary by renewing their vows in front of Cinderella’s Castle at Disneyland. The 43-year-old singer and American Idol judge wore a white princess-like wedding gown with a sparkly headpiece, while Cannon was clad in Prince Charming’s finest. Personally, I don’t get the whole fascination with having a princess wedding theme, but to each their own.

About 250 guests mingled on the chilly night in Fantasyland for the reception, which Cannon deejayed. I wonder if Nicki Minaj was invited ;) The park was reportedly closed to the public so guests could take advantage of the rides and attractions. The park was decorated with 10,000 crystals for the occasion, along with about 15,000 flowers imported from South Africa, Holland and France.

In 2008, Carey and Cannon married in the Bahamas. Each subsequent year, they renew their vows in some sort of elaborate manner. Last year, they did it atop the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Hopefully, the duo live happily ever after, unlike another high-profile celebrity couple who renewed their vows on a yearly basis. We all know what happened with Heidi Klum and Seal. In addition to celebrating their love, it was also the couple’s twin’s- Monroe and Moroccan- second birthday. Check out Mariah Carey’s Vine below to check out their special night.

check out her vine vids after the jump