Let's begin by defining what an RV is. The letters actually stand for Recreational Vehicle, which is basically a motor home or trailer that provides living accommodation. An RV would normally comprise a kitchen, bathroom, and bedrooms, and they can range from basic and practical to super luxurious single-story living.
For many families across the world, RVs are a convenient form of transportation that allows you to reduce expenditure by saving on flights and hotels. And with the arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic, RV living grew in popularity. The pandemic saw many people opt for domestic holidays rather than risk sitting on a plane or staying in a hotel in case they contracted the virus. So, the global demand for RVs saw a surge in recent years, mostly because it was a decently priced and safe option to travel in times of restrictions.
However, wealthy business people and, even more frequently, celebrities, buy and decorate RVs as we do with our homes. And perhaps even more so. Let's take a look at Mariah Carey's two-story RV for example. It is opulent, and extravagant, and screams “wealth.” But when her net worth is around $340m, then why not? Worth around $1.8m, Mariah's RV is unsurprisingly a lot nicer than most average homes, and the famous singer did not hold back when investing in her “home from home” tour bus.
October, 2022: This article has been recently updated to reflect any recent changes.
Home-From-Home RV Tour Bus
Mariah Carey has had her RV for a few years now, but it's still not established whether she owns or rents it. Anderson Mobile Estates, the company that Carey partnered with to custom-design the RV, has the same motor home offered for rent under the name of The Lounge. But it's possible they keep it as a mere illustration for future buyers.
However, it may be, Mariah Carey's RV is stunning from the inside. The exterior is not that impressive or as easy on the eye, although it does show how large the home on wheels is. The interior is what takes the breath away.
You can definitely imagine that a superstar singer like Mariah has high expectations for living space. And there will be no exception when it comes to being on the road for tours. That is the purpose of this RV in the first place. It should replace hotels and provide a comfortable personal space. Hence, the big living room, the makeup space, the kitchen, the bathrooms, and even the nightclub — all of which are over two levels. It sounds like this RV is large, but how large?
The Skyscraper On Wheels Is Certainly Spacious
Incredibly, the total living space of Mariah RV expands to 1,200 square feet. But when you consider that Mariah's actual home spans 10,000 square feet, then the size of the RV is no surprise.
Back to the interior. The first area you enter is the lounge, with a makeup area — essential for any self-respecting superstar — with a professional makeup table allowing Mariah to prepare for her shows. On one side of the living area is a 25 ft long sliding section and a 30 ft long sliding section on the other side, giving that area 600 square feet of space. Unsurprisingly, the room boasts a huge TV screen, and other top-quality features — this lounge looks better than most average living rooms. The curved and vibrant-colored couch custom-built for Mariah Carey was $7,000 alone.
Ready For A Kitchen Disco
Kitchens are useful rooms for multiple activities – food preparation, cooking, and even a kitchen disco if so desired. Although Mariah's kitchen favors a more traditional look, it is no less impressive than her huge living area, with the retro wooden materials evoking a sense of being at home.
This RV is opulent – the fact that it got furnished with more than 2 tons of marble and stone tells you everything. There's a custom stove-top, convection oven, large and hidden fridge, and even a $4,000 Kangen Water machine. Only the best for the famous American singer.
Once you go up through a set of granite steps, you access the entertainment area, which is not dissimilar to a small nightclub. This area can be easily used for all kinds of entertainment, but because of the distinct lighting, it resembles a dance floor the most. Initially, the “club” had a bar with seats and small couches, but Mariah Carey requested a huge sofa instead to allow her friends and colleagues to sit comfortably and enjoy the party all night and all day long. Two large TVs also complement both sides of the room.
Interestingly, most RVs are single-story. Not the case with Mariah's party palace, as the roof of the second floor, extends up to open the area further. And when you're not using it, the roof is simply retracted. It's no wonder that RJ Anderson, the designer responsible for all the magic, calls this RV a “skyscraper on wheels.”
If you were surprised by a $1.8 million price tag at the beginning of this article, you're probably not anymore. The couch and all that fancy stone don't come cheap. And Mariah is not alone when it comes to luxurious road trips. With the amount of time celebrities spend on the road these days, away from home touring or making movies, it is no surprise to discover their home-from-home on wheels, is as expensive as Mariah's. For example, Justin Bieber's ride is a Marathon Coach RV that set him back around $2.46m. Justin's RV is custom-built and the ultimate in luxury when it comes to motor home living. Similar to Mariah's palace, the Marathon boasts marble and porcelain inside, but also has underfloor heating to keep it cozy in the winter months, plus a total of four air-conditioning systems.
If Mariah decides to trade her, now rather old, RV in for something newer and cooler, there are a number on the market for her to consider, most notably, 'The Heat', which Will Smith uses. Also provided by Anderson Mobile Estate, this is a monster RV worth around $2.6m, making Mariah's look rather modest.