Human Nature

Chapter 32

May 20th, 1992

Mariah was at her interview with Oprah Winfrey that ended up being rescheduled when she went to Africa with Michael. She had an idea of the questions she would be asked and Michael told her if she was asked, she could be the one to confirm that they were in a relationship. She was surprised that he was willing to let her do that considering how much he valued the little privacy he had.

She walked out on the stage and there was a small studio audience. Mariah waved to them and performed Vision of Love and If It's Over. Then she took a seat and smiled at the camera like Tommy always directed her to.

Oprah smiled. "Hello, Mariah. How are you today?"

"I'm great, life is wonderful." She said quietly.

Oprah nodded. "I would assume so, your MTV Unplugged special comes on tonight, am I correct?"

Mariah nodded. "Yeah, it comes on tonight. I taped it back in March and I really hope you all enjoy it."

"Now, there's been a question on everyone's mind since your debut. People are going around saying 'oh, she's a white girl that sounds black' or 'she's black', 'she's not black at all'. What are you?"

She laughed lightly, the question was tiring. "Well, I'm a human first of all. My mother is Irish and my father is Venezuelan and Black."

"There it is folks, now leave this girl alone about her race. There's more pressing matters, like you getting cozy with a certain King of Pop."

Mariah giggled like a little girl, but she couldn't help herself.

"Ah, there's something going on. Come on Mariah, we all know the truth." Oprah pleaded.

Mariah smiled coyly. She wouldn't just outright say they were together.

"We're really good friends." She couldn't hold a straight face long enough. "Nah, we're dating."

The audience erupted in applause and Oprah's eyes were about to pop out of her head. She knew people had been speculating for two years, but she hadn't expected that reaction.

"Mariah Carey and Michael Jackson are an item people. So how did it start? How long have you guys been together?"

This is what I was afraid of.

She grimaced. "We've been together for almost two years, now."

"And how did you meet? Mutual friends? An industry party?"

Mariah laughed, thinking back on that day. "I walked into him after my first single was released."

The audience laughed.

"You walked into him?"

"Yeah." She nodded. "He was cool about it though and asked for my number."

"Really? Did you faint?"

Mariah shook her head. "No, I'm surprised too."

Oprah grinned. "So what's it like dating Michael Jackson? You know, I used to have a crush on his brother, Jackie. How is Jackie?"

"Well, Jackie's fine. He's really nice." She chuckled. "And Michael is amazing, really sweet and down-to-earth."

The audience applauded again and she noticed a few of the women were looking a bit jealous, not that she cared.

"You have seemed to be glowing since you've debuted, we just assumed it was because you're young. Turns out, Michael Jackson was behind that."

Mariah held up her hands. "Well, he's great. He really is."