Mariah Carey, Beyonce talk about Qaddafi-linked concerts
(CBS/AP) More stars are coming forward to talk about concerts linked to Muammar Qaddafi or his family. Mariah Carey says she was unaware that she was booked to perform a concert linked to Qaddafi's clan and she's embarrassed "to have participated in this mess."
Pictures: Mariah Carey
Pictures: Beyonce
Carey is among a handful of entertainers who were paid handsome fees to give exclusive private concerts. This week, Nelly Furtado announced she is giving the $1 million fee she was paid in 2007 to charity; Beyonce said in a statement Wednesday that she donated her fees for a 2009 New Year's Eve performance in St. Bart's to Haiti earthquake relief once she discovered the Qaddafi link.
A statement on Beyonce's website reads, "All monies paid to Beyonce for her performance at a private party at Nikki Beach St. Barts on New Year's Eve 2009, including the commissions paid to her booking agency, were donated to the earthquake relief efforts in Haiti, over a year ago. Once it became known that the third party promoter was linked to the Qaddafi family, the decision was made to put that payment to a good cause."
Carey performed in St. Bart's in 2008, but in a statement released to The Associated Press on Thursday, she said she didn't know she was performing for an infamous family.
"I was naive and unaware of who I was booked to perform for. I feel horrible and embarrassed to have participated in this mess," the 40-year-old singer said. "Going forward, this is a lesson for all artists to learn from. We need to be more aware and take more responsibility regardless of who books our shows. Ultimately, we as artists are to be held accountable."
Carey's representative, Cindi Berger, would not comment on how much Carey was paid for the performance. But she noted that Carey has donated millions throughout the years to charity, from royalties from her hits "Hero" and "One Sweet Day" to her own foundation, Camp Mariah.
Berger said Carey will also donate royalties for the song "Save the Day," which she has been written for her upcoming album, to charities that create awareness for human-rights issues.
"Mariah has and continues to donate her time, money and countless hours of personal service to many organizations both here and abroad," Berger said.
The album is not due out anytime soon; Carey is pregnant with a boy and girl, and she and husband Nick Cannon are expecting the babies in the spring.