Mariah Carey and Vevo have unveiled a special episode of Footnotes today, offering fans an exclusive behind-the-scenes glimpse into the making of the “All I Want for Christmas (Make My Wish Come True Edition)” music video. This release marks the 30th anniversary of Carey’s holiday classic, widely regarded as one of the most iconic and commercially successful festive songs in history.

The episode features Carey and acclaimed music video director Joseph Kahn reflecting on their creative process and the visual homage to Hollywood’s golden era. Drawing inspiration from the glamour of Busby Berkeley’s legendary films, Kahn set out to create the ultimate Christmas music video. He recalls being starstruck as Mariah stepped onto the set.

“Working with the dancers and figuring out how to blend in with them was definitely the hardest part,” Carey candidly shared, admitting that dancing isn’t her strongest suit. The intricate choreography, inspired by Berkeley’s signature geometric sequences, required hours of filming with multiple takes and angles to perfect the mesmerizing formations.

A Star-Studded and Heartwarming Tribute

The video features a host of special appearances, adding layers of charm and nostalgia. Mykal-Michelle Harris shines as a young version of Carey, embodying the joy and innocence of the holiday season. “She represents little me and all the kids who love Christmas!” Carey gushed about the young actress.

Mariah’s twins, Monroe and Moroccan, also make delightful cameos, dancing alongside their mother. The family-friendly atmosphere extends to Carey’s beloved dog, Cha Cha, who continues the tradition of pet appearances started by her dogs Jack and Princess in the original video. Rounding out the cameos, Kahn’s daughter, Josie, appears as an angelic girl emerging from a present, adding an extra layer of holiday magic.

Celebrating a Holiday Phenomenon

The new Footnotes episode arrives amid celebrations of the 30th anniversary of Carey’s landmark holiday album, Merry Christmas, which has sold an impressive 18 million copies worldwide. The album’s standout track, “All I Want For Christmas Is You,” remains the all-time best-selling Christmas single by a female artist. In 2023, the song topped the Billboard Hot 100 for a fifth consecutive year, bringing its total weeks at #1 to 14.

The official music videos for “All I Want For Christmas Is You” have collectively garnered over 1.5 billion views, a testament to the song’s enduring appeal. Fans can also commemorate this milestone with limited-edition 30th-anniversary merchandise, available now.

With its dazzling visuals, heartfelt performances, and nods to tradition, the Make My Wish Come True Edition video continues to solidify Mariah Carey’s reign as the Queen of Christmas, offering fans yet another reason to celebrate the season.

FULL FOOTNOTES BELOW:

0:10 - Mariah Carey: I thought it would be a cute idea to film a new music video for "All I Want For Christmas Is You" now that the song has gained more momentum. It was also to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the song.

0:30 - Mariah Carey: We wanted to create a video that is different from the original one, but still very fun. The concept was to be very glamorous and in the style of a Busby Berkeley film.

0:50 - Joseph Kahn, Director: The goal was to make the definitive Christmas music video that should have been made but never was until now. Busby Berkley films are so iconic you can just say “Busby Berkley” as shorthand for a special type of Hollywood musical creativity.

1:10 - Joseph Kahn, Director: I hadn’t worked with Mariah in a while and when she walked on set in her Christmas outfit it was electric. I was even a bit starstruck. She is such a beautiful, unique woman.

1:30 - Mariah Carey: Mykal-Michelle Harris is the beautiful little girl in the video. She has an amazing personality, and I was really happy to be able to work with her. She's supposed to represent little me and all other kids who love Christmas!

1:50 - Joseph Kahn, Director: My daughter Josie is the blond girl in wings that pops out of the present box.

2:10 - Mariah Carey: The most challenging part of this shoot was working with the female dancers and figuring out how to blend with them. I think it worked out well although dancing is not my forte.

2:30 - Joseph Kahn, Director: The Busby Berkley sequence of all the dancers on platforms behind Mariah took hours to film because I had to do so many passes of them in different angles. 

2:50 - Mariah Carey’s twins Monroe and Moroccan dance throughout the video.

3:10 - In the original video for “All I Want for Christmas,” Mariah plays with her dogs Jack and Princess. In the updated version, her pup Cha Cha makes a cameo.

3:30 - Joseph Kahn, Director: Very few times do you get an opportunity to make something you know in advance will be historical and iconic. It’s a very surreal experience.

Author: Adam Bailey

Adam is a regular contributor for established press release distribution website Release-News.com. He writes on a wide range of topics including music.