CelebSpice

Mariah Carey uses "uplifting" songs to help troubled fans.

The 'Hero' hitmaker stars in harrowing movie 'Precious' - based on best-selling novel 'Push' about an obese teenager who has two children through incestuous rape - and believes her music has helped girls in similar situations to the main character.

She said: "There are a lot of girls that I see at my shows that may fit the description of what people might think a 'Precious' girl is. When I sing certain songs, you really see that it brings out emotions in them.

"I see tears of gratitude or joy because they relate to the message. So that's why I continue to do songs that I feel will be uplifting." 

Mariah - who plays a social worker in the film - said she could relate to the plight of the characters in 'Push', but it also made her more aware of other people's suffering.