Here’s How Mariah Carey’s “Always Be My Baby” Appeared in ‘Beau Is Afraid’

The Mariah Carey smash “Always Be My Baby” appeared in new Ari Aster's film, 'Beau Is Afraid,' after the filmmaker wrote her a letter.

Horror and dark comedy buffs got a Mariah Carey throwback in the new Ari Aster film Beau Is Afraid. In an awkward love scene between Beau (Joaquin Phoenix) and long-lost love interest Elaine (Parker Posey), Carey’s 1995 classic “Always Be My Baby” plays. The “Songbird Supreme” agreed to the placement after reportedly watching the clip on her phone.

“’If there’s one thing you do for me on this film, I have to have this Mariah Carey song,” recalled Beau Is Afraid music supervisor Jemma Burns to Variety.

She added, “When I approach someone, I think about the best angle. Are we appealing to the fact that Ari is a highly regarded director of crazy horror films?” added Burns. “Not only is Carey an A-List musician, but it’s an outrageous scene.”

Supporting Aster, while also advising him to have backup songs, Burns suggested that Aster write Carey a letter. 

“You’re speaking directly. Ari explained to her how he was listening to the song while he was writing the film and the song is very much the DNA of the film. It’s the most perfect pop song ever written,” Burns said. 

Carey would agree to include the song in Beau Is Afraid, also fulfilling the film’s $35 million budget. Carey would even attend the movie’s recent premiere in New York City, snapping candids with Aster and Posey.

In an interview with The Daily Beast, Aster revealed that there was “there was never another option” besides “Always Be My Baby.”

“It would not be 'Always Be My Baby' if there was another option, because it was expensive,” he said. “But once Mariah approved it, then we can’t even entertain the idea of doing something else. The thing that I was anticipating was her not giving it to us, and I think it’s so great that she did. I love her forever for granting us approval to use it.”