Carey "kidnapped" by Nick Cannon

Rex Features

Mariah Carey has revealed that Nick Cannon "kidnapped" her before proposing.

The popstar told Elle that Cannon proposed to her twice; once on her Manhattan rooftop and again a few days later on a helicopter.

She said: "He sort of kidnapped me and took me on a helicopter ride. Then he re-proposed."

Carey also defended her decision to marry Cannon after a whirlwind romance, saying: "Most people would think 'Okay, please! This doesn't happen in real life!'"

She added: "We really kept the whole relationship aspect of it quiet. Therefore, we didn't really 'date'. Because that would have been not quiet or private.

"I think we didn't want to give people a chance to be like 'What are you doing? What are you talking about? This is so quick... are you sure?'"