Mariah Carey Embraces Glitter Flop for 25th Anniversary Reissue Plans
While Mariah Carey reigns as the undisputed queen of Billboard with countless chart-topping hits, one notorious project stands out as a spectacular commercial failure. The 2001 film Glitter and its accompanying soundtrack were both critical and financial disasters, with the movie grossing only about $5 million against a $22 million budget and the album becoming the lowest-selling release of Carey's illustrious career.
From Disdain to Celebration
Now, at 56, the legendary singer has come to appreciate her 2001 effort, despite its initial reception. In an exclusive interview with Variety, Carey revealed plans to celebrate Glitter as it approaches its 25-year anniversary. "Plans for a deluxe and a reissue, or maybe just one, I don't know," the "We Belong Together" vocalist explained. "We're getting on top of it. I'm excited about it."
Carey, who recently faced mockery for using a teleprompter to phonetically spell out Italian lyrics during her Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony performance in Milan, suggested that remastering some of her old music videos—including "Don't Stop (Funkin' 4 Jamaica)"—would be a valuable addition to the anniversary celebration. "Actually, it really would. No, we were just talking about it today. I really think it could be a moment," she emphasized.
A Change of Heart
The music icon admitted she once despised Glitter "because it was a disastrous flop." She confessed, "I used to hate it. I used to be so like, why did I do that? And then, you know, it became something that I really loved and it just sort of took on its own thing." Carey added, "It was just a tough time for me," reflecting on the personal challenges surrounding the project's release.
Glitter marked Carey's feature film debut, presenting a rags-to-riches love story reminiscent of A Star Is Born, set against the vibrant 1980s New York club scene. She portrayed Billie Frank, a talented young singer who overcomes a difficult childhood and ascends to superstardom with the help of DJ Dice, played by Max Beesley, with whom her character falls in love.
Cult Following and Fan Campaign
Despite the film's dismal reception, Glitter has cultivated a devoted fanbase over the years who appreciate the album's musical merits. These fans view it as an underrated gem in Carey's catalog and launched the successful #JusticeForGlitter campaign in 2018, which propelled the album to the number one spot on iTunes.
New Music and Hall of Fame Recognition
In her Variety interview, Carey—mother to 14-year-old twins Moroccan and Monroe with ex-husband Nick Cannon—also disclosed that she is working on new music. Her last album, Here for It All, released in 2025, was a commercial triumph, debuting at number one on four Billboard charts.
"I'm definitely recording new music and I'm very excited about it," Carey shared. "And yeah, I'm kind of like always recording new music, but I hope it will do well and people will like it. But yeah, new music." She mentioned plans to eventually release her lost grunge album, Someone's Ugly Daughter, though the timing remains uncertain.
Meanwhile, the pop diva has been nominated for entry into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for the third time this year, alongside notable artists such as Lauryn Hill, Shakira, Phil Collins, Wu-Tang Clan, Luther Vandross, Pink, and Jeff Buckley.
