Mariah Carey, renowned for her musical prowess, has solidified her status as the Queen of Christmas, thanks to her iconic 1994 hit, "All I Want for Christmas Is You."
Amidst the usual festive symbols like pine trees, hot drinks, and Santa Claus, Carey's annual resurgence during the holiday season has become a tradition, often humorously noted by social media users.
While Carey boasts an extensive musical repertoire, including hits like "Without You," "Fantasy," and "When You Believe," the spotlight consistently finds her during the holidays, primarily for her timeless Christmas anthem.
Recently, the pop sensation faced legal challenges related to her Christmas fame. In June 2022, news circulated that Carey was entangled in a copyright lawsuit over "All I Want for Christmas Is You." Composer Andy Stone claimed co-authorship of a melody with the same name and alleged that Carey did not seek permission, leading to a legal dispute. However, in a surprising turn of events, Stone dropped his $20 million complaint against Carey in November, as reported by People.
In another legal maneuver, Carey attempted to register the nicknames "Queen of Christmas" and "Christmas Princess" with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Her intention was to secure these names as trademarks, preventing their use on merchandise or musical products. However, her request was denied after objections from fellow artists in the industry, including Elizabeth Chan, also dubbed The Queen of Christmas.
Chan, in an interview with Variety, expressed her belief that Christmas should be a shared and inclusive celebration, not monopolized by one individual. Similarly, Darlene Love, another Christmas music icon, voiced dissatisfaction with Carey's attempt to own the Queen of Christmas title. Despite Carey's unsuccessful bid for the trademark, Love's representatives announced that they would not pursue legal action over the nickname.
On November 24, as part of the Thanksgiving Day celebrations in the US, Carey officially launched the 2022 Christmas season with a dazzling performance in New York. Despite the controversies surrounding her throughout the year, Carey took the stage in a striking pink dress, a princess-style tiara, and an umbrella, surrounded by a troupe of dancers. With a beaming smile, she delivered the beloved lyrics of "All I Want for Christmas Is You," reaffirming her reign as The Queen of Christmas.
