US singer Mariah Carey performs on stage at the Monte-Carlo Sporting Club on June 2, 2012 in Monaco.
Mariah Carey was the most successful female recording artist in history—with more than 140 million albums and records sold—when Virgin Records signed her in 2000 with a record-breaking $100 million contract. After a physical and emotional breakdown, a hospital stay for severe exhaustion and a disastrous film venture (2001’s Glitter), Virgin cut ties for $28 million.