Mariah Superstitious, But US Mag Steals And Lies

 

By: Roger Friedman in Celebrity // August 27th, 2010 at 3:11 AM UTC

I guess it’s a necessary part of the gossip game on the internet. But now it’s got to stop.
On Wednesday, I posted a story about Mariah Carey being superstitious,and not wanting to say anything about whether or not she was pregnant. How did I know this? Her publicist, Cindi Berger, called me and gave me Mariah’s quote from Brazil. Berger called no one else, and nothing was posted on Carey’s website.
Yesterday, US Magazine helped themselves to the quote. They used it without credit. They even included my editing. Idiots. What’s worse, they out and out lied: US said the statement had been found on Carey’s website. It wasn’t true, and they didn’t care.
The result was a number of news outlets picking up the “superstitious” statement, along with the US assertion that it came from Mariah Carey’s website. I didn’t see all this until late in the day because I’d been traveling. Nicely, and graciously, a few sites changed the attribution over to Showbiz411. I’m hopeful that more will do the same when they read this notice.
Yes, I know US Weekly is a rag full of crap, made up stuff and eavesdropping. Before the internet, it didn’t matter. But in age where stories–whether true or not–are regurgitated instantly, it now matters that US Weekly did not report or write this story, that they just stole it and then lied about it. I can’t let them get away with it.

MARIAH CAREY ADDRESSES PREGNANCY REPORTS

Mariah Carey has hinted there's truth behind reports she is expecting her first child with husband Nick Cannon, confessing she's too "superstitious" to share any baby news right now.

Speculation has followed the couple since Mariah Carey pulled out of a Tyler Perry movie over mysterious health concerns in June (10), but she's yet to confirm or deny whether she's a mum-to-be.

New photos of the singer performing in Brazil and sporting what looks like a fuller figure raised fresh questions and forced Nick Cannon to backtrack over a recent denial. Nick Cannon told New York's 92.3 FM radio station on Monday (23Aug10): "When my wife feels like talking about whatever she wants to talk about, you will hear it directly from her."

Mariah Carey then addressed the issue via a statement released by her publicist Cindi Berger on Thursday (26Aug10). But she refused to confirm or deny the reports - revealing even Berger doesn't know for sure if her client is expecting.

The statement reads: “I appreciate everyone’s well wishes. But I am very superstitious. When the time is right, everyone will know - even Cindi Berger."

Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon wed after a whirlwind romance in 2008.

Mariah Sends Us A Message About Pregnancy Rumors: Exclusive

Hey kids, Mariah Carey has sent us a message via her publicist Cindi Berger. It turns out she’s been reading all the press on the internet, and has been fielding calls and emails from everyone — friends and relatives.
This is what she says:
“I appreciate everyone’s well wishes. But I am very superstitious. When the time is right, everyone will know–even Cindi Berger.”
That’s right–even Berger really doesn’t know if Mariah is with child. And she’s not asking. There has to be some line still between celebrity and privacy, especially when it comes to a matter so deeply personal and medical. We know way too much about famous people’s personal lives as it is. Let’s give Mariah the space to do what she has to.
Don’t forget: Jennifer Lopez didn’t announce she was pregnant until her twins were born! Jennifer Hudson also stayed mum about being a mum almost until her delivery.
I think when Mariah does eventually have a baby, Berger’s office is going to be fielding thousands of stuffed baby lambs and all kinds of butterflies.