Mariah Carey denies 'snub' claims

Mariah Carey has denied that she felt snubbed when she was placed with other VIPs at Barack Obama's inauguration.

Reports had emerged that the singer felt that she should have been seated with the Obama family and that she left the event early when she realised that she was not.

But Carey's representative told People that this was not the case.

She said: "When she and Nick arrived in their section, she was surrounded by fans, but unfortunately it caused too much of a ruckus and it became a little unsafe.

"She was then escorted to safety by police."

Carey had previously said that Obama's election had made her "tear up" with emotion.