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30 November 2018, 17:10 | Updated: 30 November 2018, 17:13
Mariah Carey has opened up about her friendship with the late singer.
Speaking to Pitchfork, the American singer revealed that George Michael's sudden passing on Christmas Day in 2016 "took a toll" on her at the time.
When asked how she has managed to survive when other stars like George and Whitney Houston haven't, she said: "It’s really about a great support system and working with people who understand and try to create a good environment.
"Hopefully, those people will also understand stress is really a killer. When we have lost some of our greatest, it’s really taken a toll on me, as someone who grew up watching them and being inspired by them.
"You mentioned George Michael. I remember before my first album, even in high school, the Faith album, I looked at that and said, 'I want to make an album that crosses all these genres.'"
She continued: "We had a lot of things in common in terms of record company political stuff. I remember this one dinner that we had.
"We were both talking about really difficult stuff that we’d been through. And when he passed away on that Christmas, I couldn’t believe it because I thought he would be able to be OK."
Mariah previously performed a cover of 'One More Try', to which George revealed he was a big fan:
.@GeorgeMichael I'm so honored u like my rendition of "One More Try." You & this song have always meant so much to me. Fan&friend for life♥♥
— Mariah Carey (@MariahCarey) June 25, 2014
Meanwhile, a tribute concert for George is being organised by his former backing band.