Public Service Announcement

Those of us who live in the Valley saw the whole Mariah Carey debaucle at the local film festival, not the edited version shown on the entertainment shows. Of all the actors starring in break-out film roles, Mariah was honored as the best. She should have come prepared to thank the festival, her fellow actors, and the public for the recognition. Instead, she made herself the "star" of the opening night event by standing in front of a microphone when she was obviously impaired and unable either to walk a straight line or speak a coherent thought.

Young people don't need another wealthy media diva showing them how to party; they need responsible adults modeling appropriate behavior, as least in public. Carey appeared to be under the influence of strong drugs that affected her ability to put words together in a coherent, meaningful manner. When she laughed about her condition while on stage, groping for an appropriate word to describe how far out of it she was, someone in the audience yelled out that she was "fucked up," a phrase that was bleeped in the footage leaked media wide. "Yeah," responded Carey, affirming that she should have stopped speaking, said thank you, and walked off the stage. However, Carey continued her acceptance speech for a full 5 minutes, rambling incoherently the whole time. She finally stumbled off stage when the audience applauded her into silence.

Yeah, she was "fucked up," but that is absolutely not an excuse for her conduct or her embarrassment of an international film festival and the people who work so hard each year to make it an event worthy of the international attention it receives.

The video clips didn't show her pointing her finger at and touching the face of the director who stood on stage with her, nor did it reveal her vulgar comment about the character she played in the film -- the reason for her recognition. She reminded the audience that Helen Mirren was offered the part for which Carey received the recognition. Mirren, who attended the event, must have cringed to be connected in even the most tangental way to Carey's incoherent acceptance speech. The film's director and Carey's on-stage escort should have pulled her off-stage, but he stood there, obviously uncomfortable and embarrassed, but seemingly unable to move.

I'd love to see a voice-over PSA featuring this footage, one of those with the message "driving buzzed is still drunk driving." Perhaps Helen Mirren's hubby, Taylor Hackford, a former schoolmate of mine, can direct it. Carey's actions speak louder than any words, but it would go a long way toward balancing her shameful public appearance with a message for young people that no matter how well you think you handle the substances you put into your body, you're still under the influence. At the end of the announcement, Mariah can apologize to her colleagues for her shameful conduct, as well as make a significant donation to the film festival organizers.