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For Her 43rd Birthday, 19 Pictures of Mariah Carey Caressing Her Glorious Mane

Mariah Carey turns 43 today, and we have to ask: Is she real?

How can one person sing like that, look like that, glitter like that, and still find time to pop out a couple adorable twins with hubby Nick Cannon (who, by the way, seems totally great)? Oh, he also judges American Idol and is in the process of reestablishing her diva-tastic musical career.

Mariah was voted The Comeback Star of 2013 in our tournament last month, thanks in no small part to her evermore mighty fans, known as "Lambs." We have to hand it to her—she's a 43-year-old superstar, and she's somehow managed to age gracefully. She might very well be crazy, but she didn't go crazy.

What's her secret? We've got an idea. In gazing upon photos of Mariah (and, boy, did we ever gaze), we noticed her propensity for stroking her hair. Sorry, we mean "The Hair." Perhaps there's a secret life force she hold in her locks? We don't know about you, but starting now, our hands will be glued to ours.

Happy Birthday, Mariah!

—Samantha Martin