WEEK IN REVIEW: Carey Bounces Back

By Stephen M. Silverman

05/10/2002 at 10:00 AM EDT

DIVA DEAL: It's a quick comeback for Mariah Carey, who was publicly -- though profitably -- dumped from her label, music giant EMI Group's Virgin Records, in January. The dispossessed diva, 32, has signed a new deal with Universal Music Group's Island/Def Jam Records that includes her own label, reported the Associated Press. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The label (which is not yet named) will mainly focus on Carey, but in the future could include other artists, Jerry Blair, a former Columbia Records exec who has worked with Carey since the beginning of her career, told the news service. "Setting up this company for her is really guaranteeing her legacy," he said.

J.LO STRETCHES: Jennifer Lopez, 31, who opens in the movie thriller "Enough" on May 24, will both star in and produce the fiery -- and tragic -- tale of "Carmen" for Universal, reported Variety. The movie will be an update of Prosper Merimee's 19th century short story that in 1875 became the classic George Bizet opera, about a gypsy temptress and the Spanish soldier who becomes obsessed with her. Screenwriter Craig Pearce, who co-wrote "Moulin Rouge," is researching the project in New York, Havana, Miami and Madrid, said the trade paper. In May 2001, Destiny's Child's Beyonce Knowles, 20, played the title role in an updated version of "Carmen" on MTV, which the network dubbed "a hip-hopera."

HARRY UNHARRIED: Attention, J.K. Rowling: Your fans are waiting. And waiting. After quickly turning out four Harry Potter books -- one per year since July 2000 -- the usually prolific author is months late in wrapping up her fifth entry into the sensational series, reported The New York Times. How late? It apparently will not be ready for its scheduled July 2002 publication. The only word about the book, to be called "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix," says The Times, is that its American publisher, Scholastic, has told its stockholders (as well as hungry young readers) that it expects to publish it some time before June 2003. This means it will come well after this fall's movie premiere of "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets," the sequel to last year's "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone."

JEWEL TOUR: As her European tour, which is scheduled to begin next week, approaches, Jewel, 27, is saying that she feels "a little weird" to be without her guitar, but a broken collarbone will prevent her from toting the instrument, the singer-songwriter told the Associated Press. She sustained her injury, as well as a broken rib and some major bruises, last month when she was thrown from a colt at the Texas ranch of her boyfriend, rodeo champ Ty Murray. "I guess I'll have to polish up my dance routine," Jewel (full name: Jewel Kilcher) told the AP regarding how she'll look on stage. She said the guitar is "like a security blanket."

EMINEM COSTUME: Eminem's latest shock trick apparently involves his dressing up as Osama bin Laden in the new music video for his single, "Without Me," Reuters reported. The video debuted in Britain on the BBC's "Top of the Pops." The footage parodies a CNN news report, with a red ENN logo on the bottom left of the screen that mimics the CNN logo, and shows Eminem, 31, as the Saudi-born terrorist outfitted in combat clothes and hiding in a cave. (CNN, like PEOPLE, is part of AOL Time Warner.) The musician's character is shown attempting to escape but is captured by a group of rappers before he breaks into dance to the beat of the song. The video also reportedly lampoons Elvis, Moby and Batman sidekick Robin, among others.