From Setbacks to Success: The Parallel Journey of Mariah Carey and The Emancipation of Good Homegirl
"I can now honestly say, ‘This is me, the real me, take it or leave it'” -Mariah Carey (November 18, 2004 via her official website)
“I am celebrating the fact that I've grown into a person and artist who no longer feels imprisoned by my insecurities or compelled to try and live up to someone else's vision of "Mariah Carey". I now feel I can honestly say "this is me, the real me, take it or leave it". For the first time in my life, I feel free and unashamed to be who I really am.”
— Mariah Carey (November 18, 2004, via her official website)
20 years ago today, Mariah Carey announced on her official website that a new Mimi was on the way. I personally love an evolution, and as a Scorpio rising, I fully embrace transformation and growth—even when it requires painful endings. And no one has had a more legendary comeback or glow-up story in music than Mariah Carey with The Emancipation of Mimi.
Let’s take it back. Mariah Carey, one of the greatest vocalists of all time, was at a turning point. After facing years of media scrutiny, career setbacks, and personal struggles, not to mention, the infamous TRL appearance in July 2001. While the media turned it into something bizarre, let’s be real—TRL Host Carson Daly’s disbelief in a megastar like Mariah showing up unannounced with ice cream for the audience wasn’t a sign of her unraveling. While on one hand it was a mental breakdown but on the other, we saw an artist go off-book to ruthlessly & shamelessly promote her pending album, Glitter, and her current single, Loverboy, which was sitting at number 4 on the TRL countdown that day. The world was quick to harshly judge her spontaneity, but in hindsight, it reflects a moment of desperately wanting something to work out.
As for Glitter? The album was highly misunderstood by missing one crucial element. Glitter’s release was pushed back from August 2001 to September 11, 2001—the day of the the most devastating attack to take place on American soil in history. Any album would be lost in the sauce under such circumstances. The chips were stacked against Mariah and beyond her control. Instead, the world has a way of making visible women the media punchline. After weathering the criticism and poor reception of Glitter—both the film and album—Mariah was bought out of her Virgin record deal in 2002. Mariah’s greatest career setback ultimately set the stage for the unfolding that would lead to what would come next.
What I’d consider her magnum opus: The Emancipation of Mimi, let us into the woman behind the fantasy, showing us who she really was: A diva. An icon. A powerhouse. Forever, the moment.
The Struggles Before the Glow-Up
Mariah’s story wasn’t always Charmbracelets and whistle tones. In the years leading up to her emancipation, Mariah didn’t fade into obscurity under media scrutiny nor was she silenced by industry politics and naysayers who doubted her ability to return to the top. Instead, she got real by doing things like recording most of her new album with a live band. She embraced her creative liberties by infusing her ballads with more hip-hop to give us her unique interpretation of R&B. She did much of this by collaborating with producers and writers like Jermaine Dupri and Pharrell Williams. Mimi refused to let anyone count her out by going all in on herself.
Sometimes you’ve got to silence the outside noise and focus on what you know you’re capable of. The Emancipation of Mimi wasn’t just a vision of love—it was a return to a stronger sense of self. It’s not about proving people wrong; it’s about proving yourself right.
Standout Tracks That Hit Home
Let’s dive deeper into The Emancipation of Mimi, a record that brims with layers of Mariah Carey’s reinvention, both musically and emotionally. Opening with the unshakable confidence of "It’s Like That," Mariah boldly asserts, “Them chickens is ash, and I’m lotion”—a line that’s as much about self-assurance as it is a reminder to leave behind the doubters who are waiting for your downfall. It’s a declaration of self-care and authenticity, as though Mariah is saying, "I’m not just surviving; I’m thriving, and you’ll see it on full display." The track sets the tone for an album that isn’t just about reclaiming her space, but reworking it entirely to fit the woman she was becoming.
Then there’s "We Belong Together," a track so emotionally charged it could be considered a rap ballad in its own right. The way Mariah effortlessly shifts between soaring vocals and the rhythmic, rap-like delivery is nothing short of a masterclass in vocal versatility. But it’s more than just a karaoke favorite—it’s a personal anthem. For me, it embodies the moment you realize your worth, reclaiming what’s rightfully yours—whether it’s your peace, your voice, or your passion. This isn’t just about romantic reconciliation; it’s about reconciling with yourself, shedding the things, spaces, and people that no longer align with the woman you are growing into. Mariah, in her raw vulnerability, reclaims herself through this track. And I, too, am doing the same.
The Emancipation of Good Homegirl
I am in my emancipation era. The Emancipation of E.E. The past—marked by missteps and untimely challenges—no longer holds weight. The clarity I’ve gained in seeing myself as I truly am fuels a confidence that can’t be shaken, and inspiration flows endlessly from within. I’m fully committed to this next chapter, stepping into the unknown with a readiness to embrace whatever comes my way. Like Mariah, this moment belongs to me, and it can only be fully realized by stepping into my power unapologetically.
The naysayers? Oh, I don’t know her. But really, it’s a take-it-or-leave-it kind of energy. I’m not for everybody, but I honestly don’t want to be. I’ve already the general audience approach, and the outcome was a watered-down version of myself—very contrived, very calculated, not very genuine, cutesy, or demure. I have no interest or energy for pretending. Might as well be this version of me and see what happens. What matters most is how I see myself, and baby, the mirror is giving greatness—and it looks good on me.
If you’ve felt stuck in a rut, take a cue from Mariah Carey’s legendary glow-up. Today, she’s synonymous with Christmas, thanks to her timeless hit “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” but we wouldn’t fully appreciate her holiday reign without first recognizing the power of taking chances and seeing yourself through a fresh lens. Much like Mariah, many of us need to lose ourselves before we can truly find our way back home. Your comeback will be legendary—your own version of a no-skip album, just like The Emancipation of Mimi.
If you haven’t already, press play on Mariah Carey’s The Emancipation of Mimi—and I double dare you to listen to "Mine Again" without singing along with your full chest; it’s impossible.