Mariah Carey album purchase saved fan during 9/11 attacks
Fan credits Mariah Carey's 'Glitter' album for saving her life on 9/11
Mariah Carey indirectly saved a fan’s life during 9/11.
On September 11, 2001, terrorists from Al-Qaeda hijacked two planes and crashed them into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York. Another plane hit the Pentagon, while a fourth crashed in a field in western Pennsylvania. The attacks resulted in the deaths of 2,977 people, excluding the hijackers.
Among the survivors is a person with an extraordinary tale involving Mariah Carey. On the day of the attacks, Carey released her eighth studio album, Glitter, which served as a soundtrack to a movie musical of the same name. Though critics initially panned Glitter, it has since become a cult favourite among fans.
the fact that mariah saved a woman’s life on 9/11 by releasing this and made her late to work at the world trade center coz she stopped to buy the soundtrack… https://t.co/dEDaUkBuG5
— pop culture gal (@allurequinn) September 11, 2024
In a 2023 interview, fan Sara Botkin shared how Carey’s album inadvertently saved her life. Botkin, who worked on the 105th floor of the south tower, decided to purchase Glitter before heading to work, causing her to be late.
“I would probably tell [Mariah Carey], ‘You saved my life,'” Botkin said. “I believe it was mostly good luck, and I do think that album may have saved my life.”
In another interview, Botkin recounted that she was still in the concourse, about to enter the building’s elevator when the first plane struck. “New York is such a noisy city, I didn’t immediately think terrorist attack or airplane,” she noted. “I just sort of paused and looked around. In a few moments, I started to see distinguished-looking men in suits start running and yelling, and thought, okay, something is happening.”
Security initially instructed those in the lobby to go to their offices, thinking it safer. However, Botkin, trusting her instincts, chose to leave with a few other men who pushed past security.
“When I looked outside, it was a stunning scene, it looked like New Year’s Eve, just all the debris in the air, papers flying,” she said.
Reflecting on how buying Carey’s album saved her, Botkin remarked, “I think it’s got to be luck.” She added, “So many people said God was watching out for me that day. And I believe in God, but I can’t think that He would be a God that would watch out for all those people who lost their lives. Fathers and daughters and mothers and sons. So, I just think I was really lucky.”
After hearing Botkin’s story, Carey sent her a signed Glitter CD. “Shortly after 9/11, about a week later, I received a signed CD and a photo in the mail with a message that said, ‘God bless.’ That meant a lot to me,” Botkin shared.
“I love her self-titled album. I thought Glitter was great. I know it was not popular. It was a throwback to the 80s.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
How did Mariah Carey save a fan’s life on 9/11?
A fan was late for work at the World Trade Center because she stopped to buy Carey’s new album.
What was the name of the album Mariah Carey released on 9/11?
The album was called Glitter.
How did Sara Botkin realize something was wrong on 9/11?
She saw distinguished-looking men in suits running and yelling.
What floor did Sara Botkin work on in the south tower?
She worked on the 105th floor.
Did Mariah Carey acknowledge Sara Botkin’s story?
Yes, Carey sent her a signed Glitter CD and a photo with a message that said, ‘God bless.’
