Much of the latest news regarding Mariah Carey has been focused on her recent weight loss and subsequent appearance on the cover of the May issue of Shape magazine. But in the interview with the magazine, Carey also reveals that she’s working on new music and hopes to have a new album out this year.

“I’ve started writing songs for a new album, which I hope will come out in 2012,” she told the magazine. “Getting back in the studio and making music – which I truly love doing – is the best way to end this crazy year.”

The “crazy year” the pop singer speaks of includes both her own health problems as well as her husband Nick Cannon’s recent health scares.

Carey experienced a pregnancy filled with health problems last year, and the subsequent loss of her pregnancy weight is what has gained the singer headlines.

“I put on around 70 pounds, but if you look at photos of me when I was pregnant, you’d say, ‘Wow, she gained 9,000 pounds!,’” Carey told Shape. “A lot of it was water weight because I pretty much had head-to-toe edema, which is very painful.”

She went on to say that she had used the Jenny Craig program to lose the weight.

“I used to be able to slim down just by exercising more, but that’s changed. Since having the babies, I realize that 90 percent of losing weight is my diet,” she continued. “Today my workout routine is more about getting and staying toned.”

Cannon is also dealing with health problems after he was diagnosed with kidney failure and lupus last year.

Carey hasn’t released an original studio album since 2009’s Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel, which debuted at number three on the Billboard 200 albums chart. She did, however, release a second Christmas album, Merry Christmas II You, in 2010.

Carey and Cannon have been married since 2008.

On December 16 Nick Cannon, the husband of Mariah Carey, told the radio listeners of his that he and Mariah are expecting twins.

He also said while performing “Christmas in Washington 2010” for TNT network that he and Carey had run into the President and First Lady backstage.  The Obamas were first to hear the news.

Cannon said on New York’s 92.3 radio station that Mariah at that point hadn’t told anyone anything because their doctors had advised them to keep things to themselves until they were further along.  However due to the emotion and excitement she felt overwhelmed and told the First Lady and President that they were having twins.

He also said that an ultrasound that had been done recently had shown that both of the babies were healthy and in great shape.

Carey in October confirmed the widespread rumors of her being pregnant while on a “Today” show television appearance on NBC, as part of interview for “Access Hollywood” with the performer.

A due date still hasn’t been revealed by Carey and Cannon.

On October 28 Mariah Carey, the pop singer, confirmed she is pregnant, with a spring due date.

The revelation was made on the NBC “Today” show that was discussing the “Access Hollywood” three part interview with Nick Cannon, Carey’s husband, and Carey.

On the show Carey said, we are pregnant.  Yes, it’s true.  This journey has been a long one.  It’s been very tough.  I have been trying to have a small bit of privacy.

Starting in August rumors began to circulate about Carey being pregnant.

More than a decade after releasing “Merry Christmas”, her first Christmas compilation, Mariah Carey returns to the recording studio for what seems to be a sequel to the 1994 release.

The release entitled, “Merry Christmas II You” is a clever wordplay as a reference to her first Christmas release and also to Nat King Cole’s Yuletide classic, “The Christmas Song”.  And maybe, just maybe, to avoid confusion and any future hassles as well, since a similarly titled – or sounding – Christmas album, “Merry Christmas to You” was released a few years ago by country music act Reba McIntyre.

The album is set to hit stores on November 2 and the diva has less than two months to make up her mind on which songs will make the cut.  But reports have swarmed that the set will contain six original cuts and new spins on her Christmas hit and now a classic, “All I Want”.

The artist is also planning to market the album via Home Shopping Network (HSN), according to her manager Chris Lighty.  Carey is no stranger to alternative modes of album marketing as she also used a non-traditional tactic in 2009 to promote and bring down the production costs of her “Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel” release by integrating high-end commercial ads in the mini-booklet that came with the said album.

The Yuletide release will also include a bonus DVD, although there is no information yet on what will the video disc contain.

Mariah Carey has called on Marc Shaiman (Catch Me If You Can, Hairspray), the Broadway composer, to help with her upcoming studio album.  Randy Jackson is the producer.  Shaiman, who has been nominated for five Oscars, has collaborated with many great recording artists.  Recently he worked with Bette Midler on “The Greatest Ears in Town,” a single inspired by Arif Mardi, the late producer, on the set “All My Friends Are Here.”

Shaiman is the favorite collaborator for Mariah since working with Walter Afanasieff.  He is very talented, said Mariah.  I can hear his chords inside my head.

It isn’t the first time that the world of theater has had ties with Carey.  Reportedly there is a Broadway autographical musical in the works that potentially could star Leona Lewis playing Carey.

Mariah Carey made history when the first five of her singles topped the Billboard US Hot 100 chart.  After marrying Mottola in 1993, she had a series of hit albums to established herself as the highest selling act for Columbia during the 1990s.  She has sold over 175 million videos singles and albums worldwide.  During the World Music Awards in 2000, Carey was name female best selling pop artist for the millennium.  She was also awarded the Chopard Diamond Award during the World Music Awards in 2003 to recognize her selling more than 100 million worldwide albums.  Carey is number three in sales for female artists and overall she is sixteenth among recording artists, according to Recording Industry Association of America, with US shipments totaling more than 63 million albums.    Carey also ranked as best selling female artist in Nielsen’s US SoundScan era and as third overall best selling artist.  She has had more number one singles than any other US solo artists with eighteen and is in second place for overall artists, trailing only The Beatles.  Carey has also won five Grammy Awards.  Recently she also received critical acclaim for her acting in Precious, the Oscar nominated film from Lee Daniel.

Next season “American Idol” might end up glittering after all.

According to an inside source, Mariah Carey still is negotiating to sign as one of the show’s judges.

According to the source, Mariah wants this.  She has seen what hubby Nick Cannon has gotten from “America’s Got Talent” and thinks this would be good for her career.

On Thursday, a Carey rep didn’t deny or confirm.  The response was, there’s nothing to report.

There are still several sticking points remaining.  However reports are that Fox is optimistic that the deal with Carey will happen.

The network offered no comment.

The inside source familiar with the negotiations also said that the deal for Steven Tyler to appear as a judge was just about done, and that there would be announcement after the complete table of judges has been filled.

The source right now says ideally the plan is having Randy Jackson, Mariah Carey and Steven Tyler, with potentially a guest judge chair that alternates.  The source says that Mariah and Randy have great chemistry.  Nothing has been set in stone yet, however.

Mariah and Jackson, in case you’ve never heard, have worked together before.

A new fragrance line has been launched by Mariah Carey.

The line of fragrances Lollipop Bling, a collaboration between Topps Candy (manufacturer of Ring Pops), Elizabeth Arden (cosmetic company) and Carey, features three different candy scents.  All three of the fragrances are  named from hit songs of Carey’s.  “Ribbon” got its inspiration from the Blue Raspberry flavored Ring Pop in combination with a floral bouquet.  “Mine Again” is a mixture of Magnolia, raspberry and chocolate.  “Honey” is honey and pineapple scented.

E. Scott Beattie, chief executive of Elizabeth Arden said, Topps sells units of candy in the tens of millions.  If you combine that customer base with the fan base of Mariah Carey’s along with our fragrance base, that’s a great way for cross-promoting all three brands.

Starting July 1 the fragrances can be purchased at Dillard’s and Macy’.  For 2011 Valentine’s Day, Wal-Mart, drug stores and other mass retails will sell the fragrances.

As speculation regarding the replacement for Simon Cowell on “American Idol” continues to build, there is also excitement regarding whom Cowell may select to be part of the judges panel for his new “The X-Factor” American version.

The latest name to be dropped, after Paula Abdul, to be a possible judge is Mariah Carey.

Sinitta, a pop star born in the US who lives in the UK and derived much of her fame there, revealed what Cowell is doing.

Sinitta said, he is still working things out I think. He is looking at all the different sides of people’s profiles and personalities. It’s the A list celebrities. It’s very exciting. I was like, yes oh my God. They would be great. I wanted everyone.

Who is interested? I can’t tell. It’s amazing the number of people who want to. Everyone from Mariah Carey to… ok I can’t say more. There are lots of people wanting to do it.

Carey wouldn’t be such a bad choice actually. Certainly she has artistic chops for doing it and is very entertaining (just go rent “Glitter”). Also Nick Cannon, her husband, could give her tips from his “America’s Got Talent” hosting gig.

Carey’s reps haven’t commented on the rumor as of yet.

Nick Cannon and Mariah Carey have once again shown that they belong together. They got married — again.

The couple celebrated their second anniversary by renewing their vows from their home in Beverly Hills on Friday night.

The elaborate ceremony included the 40 year old Carey wearing a white lacy dress and veil. Cannon was dressed in a white suit. The two exchanged rings with a string quartet playing.

Cannon gave his wife a Ring Pop diamond-encrusted doppelganger. Jason from Beverly Hills Jewelers designed the extravagant ring comprised of pink sapphires, white diamonds and white gold.

After the ceremony, Carey tweeted that the wedding vow renewal last night and party was SG. From close and far there were too many cameras. It was beautiful though. NC is best.

Later, she added that the festive moments were continuing and sent her love to all lambs out in the land. Happiness to everyone.

Carey in the past has promised she will renew wedding vows every year with Cannon. The pair got married for the very first time at the Bahamian estate of Carey’s just six weeks after the two started to date.

Cannon, 29, met Carey while working on the “Bye Bye” music video in Antigua. He proposed with an engagement ring hiding inside his Ring Pop wrapper.

Can you imagine Mariah Carey being the mother of Vanessa Hudgens?

Well why not? After all Mariah is 40 years old and Vanessa is 21 years old. However, that’s not really the point.

What the point is whether or not Mariah would like to been seen in the role of a 40 year old mother in an upcoming movie about a mother and daughter singing pair who audition for a show similar to American Idol.

But it might be just a bit more than this Diva can completely handle.

Mariah Carey had a small role in the movie “Precious” and did receive good reviews. Reportedly Carey is considering pairing up for the new flick with the cutie from “High School Musical.”

It definitely sounds like a real Dream Team. What is holding things up?

It appears the only thing that may be holding things back is whether or not Mariah does feel comfortable playing the role of a teenager’s mother. Reportedly she is somewhat sensitive about her age.

Carey could always use the excuse of Sofia Vergara. However, despite the annoyances of the maternal business, Mariah may possibly give in to the temptation.

She is, after all, getting used to all the prizes and perks of the film world.

At this year’s Capri Film Festival she was awarded Best Supporting Actress for her role in “Precious.” At the Palm Springs Film Festival that is upcoming she will be accepting their Breakthrough Award.