Mariah shines on the Gold Coast

Powerhouse performer Mariah Carey didn't disappoint her massive loyal fan base at her first Australian concert on Tuesday night at The Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre by opening her anticipated show with her theme song Can't Take That Away.
 The diva, who is here for a series of three concerts, opened her performance in a figure hugging white spangly mini-dress and immediately set the tone with her multi-octave voice. "Happy New Year," she yelled to the adoring 4502 pumped concert goers - who she affectionately calls her "lambs".
 She recalled an earlier visit to Australia before singing her hit song Butterfly on a white chaise lounge. "I had the best time in my life here the last time I was here, the dolphins even the Vegemite I had the best time it was like a freeing time in my life - I'm not just saying that."
 With her trademark flamboyance she brought her two children Moroccan and Monroe (dressed in a matching tutu) onto the stage with husband Nick Cannon and made them say "hi" in the microphone. "It's bed time night night - I love you, kiss mummy," she said trying to deal with minor sound difficulties in the newly built theatre.
 The audience, including local celebrities Sophie Monk and Ruby Rose, were lucky enough to secure tickets which had sold out in minutes upon release. "Everything that happened last year that wasn't exactly stellar - this year is going to be a long slow wonder!" she said. "What we need to do this year - for anything you don't want to remember from the last year - listen to these tracks to shake it off," she said as she broke into Shake It Off from her album The Emancipation of Mimi.
 Here with her family, Carey arrived on The Gold Coast on Friday night on a private jet from Aspen, and has been staying in the penthouse suite of the filled-to -capacity Jupiters Hotel and Casino. Since arriving, the American Idol judge has been spotted enjoying Broadbeach with her family on one of Bruce Nicholl's yachts as well as partaking in a beachside workout with her husband and trainer.
 "G'day Gold Coast! So excited to be back in Australia, I can't wait to see you all at the shows," she tweeted on arrival. On Saturday night the couple tucked their twins in bed and enjoyed a dinner at the Sea Temple's Seaduction Restaurant in Broadbeach with Fellow American Idol judge and her manager Randy Jackson, where she is reported to have dined on grade nine Wagyu beef prepared by executive chef Steve Szabo.
 The singer is reported to have taken such a shine to the glittery strip on The Gold Coast, where she also plans on taking a swim with the dolphins at Sea World, that she is leaving Roe and Roc as they are affectionately called here with minders while she performs her Sydney concert on January 3rd and Melbourne date on the 5th.
 Her world famous reputation appears in her backstage rider which stipulates two dozen white roses and vanilla-scented aromatherapy candles as well as a room temperature of exactly 75 degrees Fahrenheit. The list of demands is also reported to include Cristal champagne, a box of bendy straws and one special attendant to dispose of used chewing gum, tea service for eight people and two air purifier - and to make sure she only sees herself in the best light, no harsh lighting.
 Mind you, Jupiters have it easy - if rumours of a reported London concert demand list are to be believed. Apparently Carey demanded a Rolls Royce Phantom, a pink carpet, a pink podium, confetti shaped as butterflies and 80 security guards several years ago. At the same concert she also asked for 20 white kittens and 100 doves - the request was turned down.
 But there were no such antics this week with the singer and her entourage nothing short of "lovely" according to insiders and staff dealing with the superstar. The happy family have been out and about relaxed and posing with fans, although the singer did not make time for local media as planned ahead of her first gig, opting so stay in her suite. Her dancers were, however, been spotted out and about enjoying the pool side facilities and local fauna.
 The singer has had a controversial year being embroiled in a battle with her fellow Idol judge Nicky Minaj but showed no tensions on Tuesday night. The opening acts for the show was husband Cannon and Australian singer, Anthony Callea, who has now performed with the holy triumvirate of divas - having opened for both Celine Dion and the late Whitney Houston.
 "It's the diva trifecta" he said ahead of his performance on Tuesday - when he flew up with partner Tim Campbell. "I met Whitney, I met Celine - to meet Mariah? Oh my God, I will be hoping and praying and everything in between."
(The Age)