Everyone knows what to expect from a music concert. The lights go down, the audience erupts into a chorus of applause and the idolised superstar arrives on stage, bursting with energy, ready to entertain the throng of their adoring fans for one night only.
Its pretty spectacular.
But, ever wondered what happens once the curtains close and the lights go up? Are there diva tantrums? Catty fights between dancers? Tour riders demanding vitamin water to bathe pet dogs? Yes Mariah, we might be looking at you for that one, girl.
If you have, youve come to the right place as Metro.co.uk will give you an all-access, backstage look into what it really takes to make the tours of your favourite popstars come to life, while also reminiscing on some unique moments that made headline news.
Touring is not only an experience for the performer and the fans – the backing dancers, singers, stylists and others are also very much a part of the process and, perhaps more importantly, the backbone of these mammoth shows.
Advertisement
Advertisement
So grab your backstage pass as we get the inside scoop from Mariah Careys former creative director Anthony Burrell because, in this case, What Happens On Tour (Doesnt) Stay On Tour…
“Mariah just kind of fell in love with me”
Mariah Carey might just be the epitome of a superstar diva.
The hair. The drama. The sass.
Shes got it all but, is the diva we see on-stage really just an act by a woman whos actually lowkey behind closed doors?
Nope, what you see is pretty much what you get according to Anthony, who worked as Mariahs lead choreographer and creative director between 2014 and 2017.
Shes just as glamorous [behind the scenes], that part is not a facade, Anthony explained to Metro.co.uk.
Recalling one particularly funny incident, Anthony revealed: I was rehearsing at her home and she told her assistant, “Can you please go get my slippers”, because she wanted to be a bit more comfortable.
I thought she was going to get flat slippers, really comfy. Her slippers were some six-inch heels with some fluff on them.
I was like, these aint no slippers.
Ah, classic Mariah.
Anthony continued: I asked, “Mariah, where are your sneakers?” She was like, “Oh, darling, I dont do those”.
As if she would?!
Shes super glamorous, always done up to the nines. You see the negligee nighty thing, its just a part of her and her divaism, Anthony explained. Its who shes become and who she really is.
Advertisement
Advertisement
They may have only been in each others company for three years but, boy, was it an eventful ride of both ups and downs in equal measure.
It was a pairing that was written in the stars according to Anthony: Mariah just kind of fell in love with me, it felt like I was a great asset – I made her look great, feel great, confident.
From that point on she just kept me on year after year. There were plenty of changes in the staffing but I was one of the main people who remained because of the comfortability I gave her.
If youve been to one of Mariahs tour shows in recent years, notably the #1 To Infinity Tour, then youre probably familiar with Anthony.
He was a prominent fixture by Mariahs side on stage, with her dancer boyfriend, Bryan Tanaka, on her other.
Its no secret that Mariahs not a natural dancer – erm shes the voice of course – but that was no challenge for Anthony.
As a choreographer and creative director, were there to make the artist look great, he explained.
We create the dances to structure everything around her, all the moving, all the staging to make her feel involved and like were encompassing her. Were just making all of our transitions based on her movements.
It was really effective because shes not a mover at all.
Advertisement
That didnt stop Mariah from dropping a command or two whenever she felt like, as Anthony revealed: She did have this one saying, “Pick me up, put me down”. So whenever she said “pick me up”, you pick her ass up.
Thats why I had to hire guys that were aware… Guys that were big enough to pick her ass up and put her down.
Yes, the image of Mariah casually strewn out on a chaise lounge suspended in the air by her fit male dancers has become iconic.
Its partly for the audience and, simply, just who Mariah is.
Anthony explained: Some of the antics are put on for show business but Mariah is definitely one of the coolest, friendliest, most down-to-earth women I know outside of the cameras and stage.
Mariah personifies a true diva in the true essence and she just takes it on.
I dont think shes affected by it, its just like Beyonce is Sasha Fierce. Theres a certain something thats expected with artists these days so I think she just plays it up when its necessary.
The choreographer added: Shes an actress – people have to take on these roles of who people think they are.
With Mariahs diva reputation comes the assumption of impossible demands backstage and almighty tantrums.
But Anthony says this could not be further from the truth. It was once reported that Mariahs tour rider consisted of vitamin water to bathe her pet dogs, claims which Anthony rubbishes as bullshit.
Advertisement
He also reveals that scenes in her glam room while getting ready for a big show, are surprisingly nowhere chaotic.
It was very quiet, its like her sanctuary time, the dancer revealed.
She loves getting pretty and dolled up so it was a moment for her to just decompress. It was a really nice [environment] where she had her make-up done.
Just her, her make-up artist, hair person – theyre just doing their job like everyone else.
Its not this fantasy world where theres clowns and leprechauns running around.
Her make-up room is a solace, quiet before the storm.
Oh yes, and there was a pretty big storm on the horizon.
Anthonys working relationship with Mariah came to a dramatic end in 2016 after that infamous New Years Eve performance in Times Square.
The set was plagued by sound problems causing Mariah to stop singing but the blame came down hard on Anthony, who moved the backing singers position on-stage before the show.
It led to Mariah firing her beloved creative director but he says it was all down to the superstars poor management team.
Reflecting on the controversy, Anthony explained: The manager took every route to blame everything else but the reason and what was really going on.
We rehearsed, everything was fine and they just tried to steer the blame on anyone else but Mariah or management so that they would look great.
He continued: I havent spoken to her or anyone else in the camp.
Ive kept my distance because I didnt want it to end negatively or any worse than it was with any lawsuits. I knew exactly what was going on behind the scenes but because of my loyalty to her as a friend, I didnt want to put that information out there.
I chalked it as a loss but Ive moved on and now I follow my own dreams. Ive opened my own school in Atlanta and it kind of gave me that fuel that I needed to say, let me do what I need to do for Anthony Burrell and not babysit no recording artist.
Mariahs tour life was famously documented in the 2016 reality docu-series, Mariahs World, featuring Anthony and Mariahs new management prominently.
Anthony said of the backstage friction depicted in the E! series: Her former management team was a nightmare.
I knew it all along and I was trying to get the team to see that. Nobody would listen.
Im all about honesty… I know Im talented and her team that point in time didnt have her best interests at heart, they were there for the money, to be famous and in the pictures.
It wasnt my thing Read More – Source
[contf] [contfnew] 
METRO
[contfnewc] [contfnewc]
