Nick Cannon Talks Mariah Carey's Michael Jackson Memorial Performance

Access Hollywood - July 9, 2009 11:26 AM PDT
Story photo: Nick Cannon Talks Mariah Carey's Michael Jackson Memorial PerformanceMariah Carey & Nick Cannon celebrated their One-year Anniversary at the Palms Casino Resort Bill BoatmanAccess Hollywood

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Mariah Carey may be a worldwide singing sensation, but husband Nick Cannon told Access Hollywood she was more than nervous when she stepped on stage at Michael Jackson's public memorial on Tuesday to perform "I'll Be There."

"It's one of those things where nervous isn't even a word because no one is ever prepared or emotionally or physically to be able to go on stage whether it's one person or one million people. You're never prepared to go up and have to sing and at the same time mourn a friend," Nick told Access on Wednesday evening. "You never know what's going to happen. It's definitely one of those things where we just said a prayer, you know, left it all in God's hands and let it happen."

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Mariah herself hit her Twitter account following the memorial at Los Angeles' Staples Center to explain her performance, which saw the superstar hitting a couple of not-quite-perfect notes.

"Trying to sing today was basically impossible for me. I could barely keep myself from crying. I'm sorry that I wasn't able to pull it together and really do it right, but I was literally choked up when I saw him there in front of me," Mariah Tweeted.

VIEW THE PHOTOS: Michael Jackson's Staples Center Public Memorial

Although the number wasn't up to Mariah's own high standards, her husband, Nick, said it was very powerful.

"I definitely feel like her performance moved many, many people, so it did what it was supposed to do," he told Access.

Nick explained that Mariah's participation in the historic event came about "last minute" leaving his wife without a chance to really rehearse the number.

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"It wasn't planned or anything and fortunately we happen to be out here [in Los Angeles] and she wasn't doing something else on the East Coast, so it kind of all worked out but it was definitely one of those things were it was just last minute," he said.

"[Michael] was a friend of hers so she was like 'I'll do anything whatever,'" he added.

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MORE ACCESS ON THESE TOPICS: Nick Cannon - Michael Jackson - Mariah Carey - Celebrities - TV One

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comments 1-10 of 59  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >|  hide comments · post a comment
  • zw
    I've been searching on & off for weeks now, to come up with a rational reason to criticize Mariah, or anyone else for that matter, in the Public Eye of Opinion or not, or just being out in public, but when I think; Bad Hair Day, Bad Gear Day or Bad Choice of Wear, or a verbal slip or imperfection at an emotional event, man or woman......DANG! This sounds like ME & the r
    report abuseposted August 28, 2009 1:31 PM PDT
  • linda s
    It is so disgusting how you can berate someone that has to do a task like she had. I had to sing over my mother and my sister, and I could barely get through it. It is a horrible feeling, especially when you know the person. To try and tear Mariah down is just cold and unfeeling. When you don't give mercy, you don't get mercy, remember everybody has a day. I thought she and T
    report abuseposted July 12, 2009 6:08 PM PDT
  • DiamondGirl
    I so agree with many others who said her choice of dress for the service/ceremony was very tasteless. It looked more suited to be worn for a night club performance. She over does it with how she dresses sometimes. Everything is always too short, too low cut or too tight. She may be sexy, but she looks like a hooker way too often.
    report abuseposted July 11, 2009 2:11 PM PDT
  • LiL DALLAS
    spring b you are also sick hitlers daughter do any of you white trash have a heart for people no matter whar color you are
    report abuseposted July 10, 2009 8:59 PM PDT
  • LiL DALLAS
    arm of guards and the rest of you klan when ever somebody loose a family memeber its sad no matter what color you are
    report abuseposted July 10, 2009 8:57 PM PDT
  • Anita S
    She sang beautifully, it was one of the only performances that made me emotional at the memorial, I just wish that she had dressed with a little bit more class, at least for a funeral.
    report abuseposted July 10, 2009 4:30 PM PDT
  • Anita S
    She sang beautifully, it was one of the only performances that made me emotional at the memorial, I just wish that she had dressed with a little bit more class, at least for a funeral.
    report abuseposted July 10, 2009 4:30 PM PDT
  • she did look like a %@!*# but she sings well. i can understand that she was emotional that day and can relate to her... i had to sing at 2 funerals. okay, so it wasn't MJ's funeral I sang for but cut her a break! as for her not being able to sing ever,i think that's not true. look at the duet for Prince of Egypt. it was amazing. if her talent has fallen, she's bett
    report abuseposted July 10, 2009 4:09 PM PDT
  • she did look like a %@!*# but she sings well. i can understand that she was emotional that day and can relate to her... i had to sing at 2 funerals. okay, so it wasn't MJ's funeral I sang for but cut her a break! as for her not being able to sing ever,i think that's not true. look at the duet for Prince of Egypt. it was amazing. if her talent has fallen, she's bett
    report abuseposted July 10, 2009 4:08 PM PDT
  • Joy
    I thought she sang wonderfully. It was a very emotional service and it was a funeral so I could understand her voice cracking. What she should be apologizing for is that dress. Totally inappropriate! She was a a funeral/memorial service, not a nightclub.
    report abuseposted July 10, 2009 10:18 AM PDT
comments 1-10 of 59  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >| 

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