Mariah Carey to Remain with Virgin

Mariah Carey will remain with Virgin Records despite rumors that the label had paid $50 million to buy out her $80 million, five-album contract. It was reported in the New York Post last week that the EMI Group, the parent company of Virgin Records, had paid $50 million to buy out Carey’s contract after her very public breakdown and the flop of her movie, Glitter. It was reported on Eonline.com that Carey and EMI are now claiming the "break-up" will not happen as the label stated, "EMI wishes to make clear that it has made no such payment or agreement."

A statement from Carey’s camp backed the label’s comment, as stated on Eonline.com. "There were inaccurate reports in the media that the recording agreement between Mariah Carey and Virgin Records has been terminated. EMI has correctly stated that the contract remains in full force." Carey signed the record deal in April, before her publicized personal problems. It has been reported that the $20-million per album price tag was questioned by some who did not think Carey worthy. The question grew stronger when Carey suffered her breakdown last summer leaving her unable to promote her film, Glitter, or the corresponding album, both of which suffered critically.

Despite her "emotional and physical breakdown" and the less than dazzling debut of her movie and soundtrack, Carey seems to be getting her life back in order. She has appeared at various benefit concerts, entertained U.S. troops overseas and made a guest appearance on an episode of Ally McBeal as a woman who enjoyed being in the spotlight (and even carried her own spotlight with her). Only the future will tell if Carey can indeed hack life in the spotlight.