Nor can we, despite the low odds for Carey to pull a Grobanesque showstopper that the Oscarcast most certainly needs. Her reasoning is much purer, however, not so unlike the dulcet tones of her awards-hopeful and the heart-squeezing, Willie Nelson-aided sincerity at its core:

The song, says Carey, is from the perspective of her Tennessee character Krystal, an aspiring singer. "The song has its own arc," Carey said. "She begins by telling us where she started, like she lays in bed and wonders where she left herself. A lot of people go through that sort of thing. It’s kind of about empowerment."

Don't be modest, Mariah! Only the chosen few lay in bed the morning after Glitter's premiere, wondering if anyone will let them near a script again. But that's the Oscars' Best Song category — the culmination of pimp fantasias, street-musician moxie and, in 2008, Mariah Carey laying waste to Miley Cyrus. Dreams do come true here.

• Mariah Carey Enters Oscar Race [LAT]

"While she consented to cornrows, she passed on the fake nose and busy eyebrows that had been conceived for the part. 'When she saw the nose, she called her people...she did seem very insecure about her appearance.'"

Pre-Hollywoodization, Pariah had herself some serious unibrow action, along with a moderately plumper nose. Just the very sight of excess hair and rhinoplasty leftovers on the props table must've sent Missy into a panicky trip down memory lane. We just hope she didn't rush over to Sunset Tan for a 60-minute fake bake. On the other hand, that might just make her "ugly" enough for the role!

• Mariah Carey's Role in 'Tennessee': It Coulda Been Ugly[NY DAILY NEWS]