My kids were desperate to be involved in my reality series - Mariah Carey

Mariah Carey didn't want to use too much footage of her kids in her new docuseries, but her children begged to be involved.

The singer opens the doors to her life in new E! show Mariah's World, which follows the singer as she embarks on her Sweet Sweet Fantasy European tour. While the cameras mostly followed Mariah, her five-year-old twins with ex-husband Nick Cannon, Moroccan and Monroe, also feature quite heavily.

However, in a new interview with British TV show Lorraine, Mariah admits that while she was initially hesitant about including her offspring in the programme, they soon convinced her to let them participate.

"It's going to be nice for them to have," she told interviewer Ross King. "I didn't want to use too much of the footage of them but they want to be involved, they want to come on stage, they ask me, 'Mommy can we get up on stage?' So you know, it's like - they're my buddies!"

The programme pokes fun somewhat at Mariah's diva reputation, which she has done little to dispel over the years. But there are moments of that side of Mariah coming through - such as when she enlists the help of four people to put a pair of strappy sandals on her feet.

"I don't know, there were a few people around. I don't know - I try to follow the rules, what can I do?!" she laughed.

The premiere episode of Mariah's World has already aired in the U.S., and will hit E! in the U.K. this Sunday (11Dec16). And despite Mariah's hardcore fans loving every second of watching their idol in action, there are those who have criticised the show. But the Hero singer isn't bothered if some don't like her series.

"I think it's nice to see a different side and it's like, who cares really at this point? Hopefully they'll like it, and if they don't, they don't have to watch it," she grinned cheekily.

Mariah's World also sees the singer adopt an alter-ego, that of Bianca. When asked if she has any more than just two personalities, Mariah laughed: "There's much more than that!

"No, I don't know - I play around, it's all fun, it's got to be fun. What's going on if you're not going to allow yourself to enjoy your life?" peoplesmusic.com