Mariah Carey teases docu-series with half-naked men, champagne and tons of attitude

Mariah Carey during the NBC Television Critics Association summer press tour on Aug. 3, 2016, in Beverly Hills, Calif. (ap)

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) – Mariah Carey playfully promoted her upcoming docu-series, "Mariah's World," with the help of six half-naked muscle men, champagne and lots of attitude.

Carey made her entrance to a roomful of TV critics as the shirtless gentlemen formed a chair for her to sit on. She then moved over to a rococo velvet-and-gold couch to field questions and toss a few wisecracks around.

"So this is perfectly normal," she said, smiling. Carey's daytime outfit: a sparkling, scanty black costume with a glittering microphone as accessory. A pair of hair and makeup artists came on stage to provide a touch-up during the 30-minute news conference.

"I hope you don't mind. This is part of my world," she said, slyly. Carey asked if anyone else wanted a touch-up, adding, "It's very expensive."

As a pop star, she was asked, could she share the names of up-and-coming female artists she admires?

"There's a few. They would be lovely ladies — and it's not their day," she said. Her tone sometimes veered intriguingly into the realm of 1930s movie sexpot and quipster Mae West.

Will ex-husband Nick Cannon, the "America's Got Talent" host, be part of the series and what does he think of it, Carey was asked. She and Cannon have 5-year-old twins.

"I can't speak for what he thinks because he is his own guy and we are not together anymore. But he's cool about being on the show and he comes around and he's with the kids," she said.

So he'll be on the show?

"I didn't say that, darling. I said he came around. I don't know what makes the final cut," she said, dryly. "I'm sorry, was that rude? I am so not trying to slay anybody."

As for her kids, "they could have their own show, because that's how funny they are," Carey said. But she and Cannon will make a mutual decision on their inclusion.

The eight-part E! series details the kickoff of her "Sweet Sweet Fantasy" concert tour and planning for her marriage to Australian billionaire James Packer.

"Mariah's World" will premiere in the United States and Canada on Sunday, Dec. 4, followed by airings on E!'s international channels in Europe, Asia, Latin America and elsewhere.

During her Q&A, Carey combined tongue-in-check replies with occasional and apparent seriousness, including when she was asked about her experience as an "American Idol" judge. She and fellow judge Nicki Minaj famously clashed during their one season on the talent series.

"Oh, it was the most abusive experience. By the way, you've just driven me to drink," she chided the questioner, sipping from glass of bubbly.

Does she throw shade — slang for trash-talking — and if so why?

"I don't, I don't throw shade," she said. "I don't know why people think this."

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