Mariah Carey has insisted she is not a diva, despite her reputation for outlandish demands.

In an interview with The Guardian, the singer said reports about her private life were exaggerated and claimed she was in fact “nice and cordial”.

“I try not to be a jerk. I really do,” she said. “I've seen the real extreme diva behaviour and I don't think that's who I am.

“I think I have mannerisms and that whole thing... But even before I had any type of fame I was like this. Seriously.”

In the past, the 39-year-old singer's demands have reportedly included having a special dressing room attendant to help her backstage at concerts.

But Carey hit back at the claims in the interview, insisting most of them are made up by journalists.

“They said I wouldn't come into a hotel room unless there were petals on the floor,” she said.

“I'm like, do you really think at 3am I give a shit what I'm walking on?”

Mariah Carey - Fashion Focus