Mariah Carey recalls rivalry with Whitney Houston

Mariah Carey, the best-selling music icon is one of the boldfaced names being honored this year in Variety's Power of Women issue. And in a video interview with the outlet, the "Vision of Love" diva took the opportunity to address competition among women when asked what needs to change in the industry.

She also cited the long-time record label rivalry with late pop icon Whitney Houston, who Carey always said she admired.

"What has to change in our industry the most? One of the things is the pitting of women against each other," Carey told.

"There was the situation where, when I started, everyone was like, 'Oh, her and Whitney [Houston], let's put them against each other and blah, blah, blah," she recalled. "We didn't know each other! And she was one of the greatest of ALL TIME." "And then we finally did a duet together that won an Oscar," the five-time Grammy Award winner continued. "We had the best time working together. It was female camaraderie. We both got it." "We were like, 'She doesn't hate me...we're actually having this great time together and laughing and this is more fun than I have working alone, ever' So I think camaraderie with women that you respect is a huge deal." The two singers, who were two of the biggest selling pop singers during the 1990s, joined forces for "When You Believe," the lead song for the 1998 animated film "Prince of Egypt" co-written and produced by Kenneth "Baby face" Edmonds. Mocking their so-called rivalry, Carey and Houston appeared at the 1998 Video Music Awards in the same matching one-of-a-kind gowns to create a great marketing moment for the single, which was released months later and made a history with it.