Mariah Carey is directing a cable Christmas movie in Cincinnatti, Ohio, in stilettos, with 10 executive producers including her billionaire boyfriend James Packer.
I don’t which of these things is strangest, as well as the news (to me) that there’s a neighborhood in Cincinnatti called Wyoming.
Anyway, last April Mariah sold a pitch about time travel at Christmas to her pal Brett Ratner and his partner James Packer. They set it up through New Line Cinema (Warner Bros) and then placed it at the Hallmark Channel with low cost cable TV expert producer Brad Krevoy. There are 10 executive producers on the film.
At some point it was decided that Mariah would actually direct the film. This is the same Mariah who generally keeps people waiting four to six hours before arriving for any appointment. According to a local report, Carey made a group of children and their parents wait seven hours recently to shoot a few minutes.
I’m not sure why they chose Cincinnatti, but maybe it’s Ohio tax breaks. Considering that Carey doesn’t like to eat food that can be purchased in supermarkets, it’s hard to imagine what the budget for “A Christmas Melody” is– of course, I guess you get more for your buck in Cincinnatti than in Sardinia or Capri.
Still, Hallmark movies have tiny budgets and are made on the fly. This one has to be turned around for a December 19th airdate and they’re still shooting it.
Plus, my favorite part of this is that Mariah is tottering around in 6 inch (at least) stilettos while she’s directing the film.
December 19th cannot come fast enough. All I want for Christmas is to see this movie!
