Mariah Carey won’t like the way the protagonist is portrayed in “The Last Living Diva.”
Matthew Stevens, who worked for Carey for a year, spent seven years recuperating from the nightmare and writing a work of fiction loosely based on his experience.
Stevens was one of three assistants who were part of a staff of over a dozen, including bodyguards, nannies, a chef, hair stylist and makeup artist.
“One thing I learned is that no one wants to stop getting that paycheck,” Stevens told me. “But not all that glitters is gold.”
The book centers on a diva named Alexis and an assistant called Hayden.
“Alexis was in a full-blown psychosis,” the book reads. “‘I’m the star, Hayden,’ she’d say, her body here but her eyes staring at some distant horizon only she could see. ‘I am the star.’”
In one part of the book, the diva shows her assistant around the $150,000 a month mansion she rents in Beverly Hills.
“The tour ended with her shutting me in her bedroom as she undressed, insisting I get underneath the sheets with her.
‘I’m gay, Alexis!’ I said. ‘I don’t care!’ she replied.”
Besides writing book, Stevens has launched a tanning product line that grossed $1 million its first year and has a TikTok following of nearly 500K.
****
Mario Paredes will never forget studying literature under Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the future Pope Francis, in Buenos Aires.
Paredes is CEO of SOMOS Community Care, a network of 2,500 physicians who serve over 1 million Medicaid patients in New York’s most underserved immigrant communities.
“He was so humble, so unassuming. He took the subway to his office every day,” Paredes told me. “He encouraged us to serve the poor. He called them the outcasts of society.”
When Paredes went to meet Pope Francis at the Vatican, he brought a copy of a rare book the pontiff had written in 1998, “Dialogues between John Paul II and Fidel Castro.”
When Pope Francis saw his book, he laughed and said, “The sins of my youth.”
Paredes said, “He had a great sense of humor.”
Paredes and Dr. Ramón Tallaj, SOMOS founder and chairman, are the producers of two documentaries, “Francis: Pope of Surprises” and “Honor in Armor” about the Swiss Guards.
Tallaj said, “He walked this earth with grace, healing not just with words, but with presence — with love. He reminded us that every soul matters, especially the forgotten ones.”
****
Jennifer Lopez is finding her footing since her disastrous marriage to Ben Affleck.
I’m told she pocketed $8 million for performing at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix for Formula One racers.
“She sang many crowd favorites, and made sure to flirt with Lewis Hamilton,” said my source.
J. Lo will be performing internationally on her Up All Night Tour this summer.
****
Wilbur Ross, Secretary of Commerce in Trump’s first term, thinks the president is doing “an amazing job” in his second term.
“The people are encouraged he is implementing his campaign promises,” Ross told me. “People are thrilled he closed the border.”
The skittishness of the stock market is to be expected, Ross said. “The worst fear is fear of the unknown. It was a bigger initial move than anyone anticipated. Once a couple of big deals are made with big countries the markets will calm down.”
The “Risks and Returns” author thinks Americans will feel better when Trump makes Social Security payments tax-free, as well as overtime pay.
****
Marilyn Monroe won’t fade away.
Sarah Jessica Parker, Matthew Broderick, Debra Messing, Billy Crystal and Nathan Lane were at the Broadway opening of “Smash” inspired by Monroe.
Marilyn is also getting the star treatment at Carlton Fine Arts, where her portrait by neo-pointillism artist Semadar was unveiled at the Madison Avenue gallery alongside her paintings of Bob Marley, Elvis Presley and Robin Williams.
****
Out & About: Freddie Mercury, ZZ Top and Nosferatu populate the whimsical paintings of Romanian artist Radu Oreian, whose show will open at Quang Bao’s 1969 Gallery on May 6 … Designer Julia Haart will host a ladies’ lunch April 28 at Delmonico’s to celebrate the legendary restaurant being the first in the US.. to let women dine alone in 1868 … Vincent Pastore (Big Pussy from “The Sopranos”) will host a new cannabis cooking show. “Baking Bad,” produced and directed by Danny Provenzano, co-produced by Steve Garrin, Joe Cantor, and cannabis growers Badda Bloom, will tape at Foxwoods Casinos … Martin Short and Steve Martin were at Joe Allen’s … Julian Schnabel and Mark Kostabi were at the Guggenheim Museum for the Rashid Johnson opening … Eric Bogosian, Sam Reid and Marilyn Sokol were at the Robin Williams Center for a screening of AMC networks’ series “Interview with the Vampire.”
Originally Published: April 27, 2025 at 7:00 AM EDT
