Mariah Carey talks magical Christmas special, spreading 'holiday spirit' amid pandemic

Mariah Carey's goal this year is a big one: Save Christmas.

The five-time Grammy winner set out to do just that with her upcoming Apple TV+ holiday special, titled "Mariah Carey's Magical Christmas Special," in which she gathers her celebrity friends and her 9-year-old twins, Moroccan and Monroe, to spread joy this holiday season.

"It's a way that people can share in the holiday spirit with us all and kind of, like, push past the moment -- even if it's just for that, you know, amount of time we're watching the special together," Carey told "Good Morning America" on Thursday.

She started working on the program in February and knew this was something she wanted to put out this year.

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"I was like, 'We can't let them foil Christmas. It has to happen,'" Carey added.

To help her spread some holiday cheer, the "All I Want for Christmas Is You" singer called on an all-star list: Tiffany Haddish, who narrates the special, Snoop Dogg, Billy Eichner and Misty Copeland, who does the "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy."

Taking part in musical moments are rapper Jermaine Dupri, Ariana Grande and "American Idol" alum Jennifer Hudson.

"Mixed-ish" star Mykal-Michelle Harris also appears.

Despite the pandemic, this has been a big year for Carey. The former "American Idol" judge's memoir, "The Meaning of Mariah Carey," which she co-wrote with Michaela Angela Davis, was released Sept. 29. After its first week on bookshelves, it became a No. 1 New York Times best-seller. Carey also released "The Rarities," a compilation album featuring previously unreleased songs, on Oct. 2.

"I just wanted to thank everybody who was so supportive and tell you I'm here," she gushed. "Let's do Christmas together and be fun and festive and safe."

She continued, "I'm saying this from the heart. I wouldn't feel happy if I couldn't celebrate with fans this year and just with the world."

"Mariah Carey's Magical Christmas Special" is available globally on Apple TV+ beginning Friday, Dec. 4.