Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for One World Observatory; etonline.comMariah Carey is more than just a performer—she's a lifesaver!
One of her backup singer, Deborah Cooper, opened up in an interview with Entertainment Tonight about how the diva quite literally saved her life, making her the ultimate "Hero." When Cooper was diagnosed with cancer, Carey helped pay for holistic treatments, which she believes restored her health.
"Mariah Carey definitely saved my life," Cooper told ET. "They told me that I only had a few months to live, so when Mariah heard about it, she was like, 'Umm... Where do I send the money?'"
Cooper played a big role in Carey's performances in the early '90s, singing backup on classic songs such as "Emotions." She also appeared on many of the Glitter star's greatest hits, but when she started losing dramatic amounts of weight, dropping to 90 pounds from 160 pounds, she had to stop. Doctors told her they found a large tumor on her liver.
"Tests came back that I had cancer and they couldn't do anything for me and that I would need a transplant," Cooper recalled. "They sent me home to die."
Opting to forego the transplant, Cooper decided she would pursue alternative treatment options, but unfortunately it was too expensive. That's when Carey stepped in. She wired her $25,000 to pay for a 30-day detox at Martha's Vineyard Holistic Retreat. The backup singer credits this month-long treatment plan the key to her restored health.
Although diva behavior rumors have plagued Carey for years, Cooper insists she's a wonderful person—and boss. "[Mariah] may be a bit of a diva or whatever, but she's got a heart," Cooper said. "She's warm and giving."
When Cooper completed her treatment, she and the "Fantasy" singer had an emotional reunion. "I cried. She cried. It was beautiful," Cooper said. "Thank you, M.C.! Thank you!"