14 DAY TRIAL // Throughout the years, Mariah Carey has received serious criticism for her acting endeavors, but 2009 turned out to be different. With her part as an unkempt social worker with a big heart in “Precious,” the singer won over critics and general audiences – and even the Breakthrough Artist Award at the Palm Springs International Film Festival. Her acceptance speech, though, was clearly not one of her best performances, The Hollywood Reporter informs.
The singer was introduced on stage by “Precious” director Lee Daniels, but the moment she started speaking, it became obvious that she might have had one glass too many of whatever was her beverage of choice for the night, reports in the US media say. Not only was Carey seemingly unable to get her thoughts together to actually say “thank you” with her acceptance speech as is customary, but she often seemed to trail off, at a complete loss for words.
“I have to say... this is... and please forgive me because I’m a little bit, um...” Mariah began by saying, right after the usual hug and telling Daniels she loved him. At this point, someone from the audience can be heard screaming “Drunk!,” which is when the singer says smiling, “Yeah!,” several US media outlets indicate. She then went on to talk the movie “Precious,” skipped to having had the honor to meet Helen Mirren and how she (Carey) can be a diva on certain occasions.
The speech concluded with what it should have started, it is being said, namely an honest thank you to all those who made the win possible. “I thank you all for listening to my little spiel, and, um, God bless you,” Carey added. Though no one actually saw the multi Grammy-winning actress drinking before the awards ceremony, consensus in the media and online would have that she was definitely inebriated.
Given the stir that this peculiar acceptance speech has managed to cause, chances are Mariah herself will be issuing a statement to set the record straight. While we wait for that to happen, below is the video of the entire speech. Enjoy.