Why Is Mariah Carey Canceling Events?

Reports that Mariah Carey has rescheduled several upcoming appearances has left many fans wondering if something might be wrong with the singer.


Carey, 40, had been tentatively set to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame Aug. 25, perform on Today Aug. 28, and also tape an episode of VH1's Storytellers.

But the singer's publicist Cindi Berger tells PEOPLE there is no reason for concern: "These dates have been postponed and not cancelled," she said Friday.

A source says the singer is completing her new album, Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel, the release of which has been pushed to Sept. 29.

"Record release dates change all the time," Berger confirms. "It's nothing unusual and it doesn't signal anything. There are a lot of moving parts to Mariah's professional life … She's making sure the record is how she wants it to be and its no big deal."

In addition to working on her album, Carey is launching another perfume line and promoting her upcoming film, Precious, which is produced by Oprah Winfrey and opens in November.

The reason for the calendar re-jiggering is explained further on Carey's official Website: "Mariah is putting the finishing touches on her newest album, and we have shifted all of our TV and promo appearances to coincide with the new release date of September 29th. We can't wait for the fans to hear the new album!!"

• Reporting by LIZ MCNEIL, TIFFANY MCGEE and EUNICE OH