Mariah Carey - FILE
LOS ANGELES (AP)
IN LESS THAN a year Mariah Carey managed to escape pop's most dreaded fate - faded superstar - to become its reigning queen, ruling the U.S. record charts with the year's most popular single and its best-selling album.
Carey could also become queen of the Grammy music awards if her momentum carries on tonight. The diva, who won her only two Grammys 16 years ago as a newcomer, has the opportunity to win a record-setting eight trophies, including the coveted categories of record, song, and album of the year. No woman has won more than five Grammys in one evening.
EMOTIONAL BREAKDOWN
A big win would be especially sweet for Carey, one of the best-selling artistes of all time, who fell into a slump a few years ago after dealing with an emotional breakdown, a flop movie with Glitter and its poorly received soundtrack. In 2005, she was redeemed. The Emancipation of Mimi sold more than 5 million copies and her torch ballad We Belong Together was the year's most popular song.
"I think Mariah is going to have a great night," said Carey fan Alicia Keys, who shares the most-Grammys-in-one-haul record with Beyonce and Lauryn Hill. "It's very nice to see people not give up."
"I'm just so happy for her," said Mary J. Blige. "I watched them count her out; I watched them not believe her; I watched them say she was done. And she's back! So I'm going there just to see that, clap for her, and just be happy for her, and yes, I want her to get all of them. I want her to clean up."
Ten years ago, Carey was also in a position to sweep the Grammy awards, up for six of them, including record of the year for the tear-jerker ballad One Sweet Day with Boyz II Men. But she went home empty-handed as edgy newcomer Alanis Morissette became the belle of the ball, winning four for Jagged Little Pill.
This time, Carey again has tough competition in many of the categories in which she's nominated.
With a diverse field of nominees that includes U2, Paul McCartney, Green Day and Gwen Stefani, it's possible no artist, not even Carey, will dominate the Grammys this year.
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