Mariah Carey is to join the incredible line-up of celebrities participating in Friday’s telethon to benefit those directly affected by the terrorist attacks on New York. It will be the first TV appearance for months for the troubled pop star, who was only recently released from hospital after suffering a mental and physical breakdown.
In July, the singer checked herself into a Connecticut hospital where she underwent psychiatric care after being under intense work pressure. She was released at the beginning of August, but didn’t seem to have shaken off her problems, checking into the UCLA Medical Center in early September.
For weeks her publicist has given out only “no comment” to enquiries about the songbird’s state of health. Now, however, it would seem she’s on the mend. According to New York Daily News reports she was released from hospital last Tuesday – the day of the US terrorist attacks.
Mariah will join a staggering number of other musical talents already enlisted for the two-hour telethon, including Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, Stevie Wonder and Paul Simon. Her contribution to the event, which will be broadcast simultaneously on the major US networks, is expected to be a rendition of one her early ballads, Hero.
The world of cinema will be represented at the event by a long list of Hollywood’s hottest stars, including the likes of Jim Carrey - who has also donated $1 million to the relief effort - George Clooney, Tom Cruise, Robert DeNiro, Cameron Diaz and Julia Roberts.
The show, entitled America: A Tribute To Heroes, is being underwritten by US TV networks ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX, and will raise money through telephone and online pledge donations for victims of last week’s attack. All stars will be donating their time and talents.