Mariah Carey, 56, recently disclosed in an interview accompanying her feature on the cover of Harper’s Bazaar UK that she does not permit herself to age, nor does she recognize the passage of time. The acclaimed singer, known for her characteristically lighthearted approach to the concept of aging, explained that one of her forthcoming songs directly addresses this theme.
Speaking to the publication, Carey stated: “I don’t allow it – it just doesn’t happen. I don’t know time. I don’t know numbers. I do not acknowledge time – I have a new song that starts with that line.”
The artist—whose appearance in the accompanying photographs reflects a remarkably unchanged visage since her emergence as a musical sensation in the 1990s—continues to defy conventional perceptions of aging.
Mariah Carey, who commenced her professional engagement in the music industry while still in high school, has previously commented on her unconventional perspective regarding the aging process.
In a prior interview with The Observer, as reported by Attitude Magazine, Mariah Carey responded with characteristic humor when asked in 2017 about the then-approaching 25th anniversary of her first U.S. Number One single, Vision of Love. She remarked, “First of all, don’t round up. If you’re going to round, round down!”
Carey elaborated further on her perspective regarding age and the passage of time, stating, “I don’t count years, but I definitely rebuke them – I have anniversaries, not birthdays, because I celebrate life, darling.”
In her recent interview with Harper’s Bazaar, Carey also addressed her widely recognized “diva” persona, affirming: “It’s part of my job. What’s the point of a disguise? Just get up, get dressed, go out. If I don’t want to be seen, I’ll stay home.”
For the accompanying photo shoot, Carey appeared in a sophisticated black dress that accentuated her silhouette, later transitioning into a tailored suit paired with a crisp white shirt for the publication’s cover image.
Over the years, Carey has publicly shared insights into her beauty regimen, crediting her youthful appearance to a number of lifestyle choices—such as abstaining from cigarette use—and to aesthetic considerations, including her preference for being photographed from her “good side.” She has consistently emphasized the importance of visual composition, including angles and positioning, in maintaining a consistent public image.
Mariah Carey has, on multiple occasions, openly acknowledged her discomfort with certain lighting conditions, describing herself as feeling “tortured” by what she refers to as “hideous” overhead lighting.
During a 2023 appearance on the Las Culturistas podcast with hosts Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers, Carey candidly expressed her aversion: “I can’t with the overhead lighting. Why do they do it to us? I shouldn’t say us, it’s not us. It’s me,” she stated. “I’m the one who’s the most tortured by the hideous lighting in every elevator, doorways, gyms – not that I go to the gym. But I’m just saying, it’s hideous lighting.”
She further noted that while she tolerates natural sunlight under certain conditions—“The sun is OK if it’s sunset”—she remains cautious regarding UV exposure. “But overhead lighting, I don’t think so, honey,” she added. “Everywhere I go, shut the lights. Turn them out. I don’t want to see them no more.”
In keeping with her long-standing concern over visual presentation, Carey posted an image to Instagram in early 2024 with the caption: “New year, new beginnings… taking a picture from my ‘bad side’!” The photograph featured the left side of her face—where her signature mole resides between her lips and jawline—a side she historically avoided showcasing.
Carey has frequently referenced her so-called “bad side” in public discourse, dating back to a revelation made in her 2016 docuseries Mariah’s World. There, she recounted advice given during her first professional photo shoot at the age of 19, during which a photographer allegedly instructed her: “This is your good side. Only let people photograph you from your good side. Ever.” This early experience reportedly shaped her approach to portraiture for years before she gradually became more accepting of both angles.
The singer has also been associated with unconventional beauty practices, including rumors of luxury treatments. In a 2018 interview with The Guardian, Carey confirmed that she occasionally bathes in milk for skincare purposes: “Yes, sometimes I use milk as a beauty treatment. I don’t want to give away all my secrets… Cold milk.” This statement came in response to a prior inquiry regarding reports that she bathed exclusively in French mineral water, which she refuted.
In addition, US Weekly once reported that Carey paid a masseuse $1,500 to perform an eight-hour massage while she slept—a claim which, although unconfirmed by Carey herself, aligns with her reputation for maintaining high personal care standards.
Speaking to FEMAIL, Dr. Akis Ntonos, founder of Aion Aesthetics and a partner at Certainly Health, speculated that Carey may have undergone minimally invasive cosmetic enhancements—commonly referred to as “tweakments”—to preserve her youthful appearance. Dr. Ntonos opined that Botox had likely been administered in targeted areas, noting the injections appeared to have been applied with precision to preserve her facial definition while subtly lifting the eyes. He concluded: “Her practitioner has done an excellent job.”#newsafro_
