With 'Precious' earning the fourth spot at the box office last week (in less than 200 theaters) and expanding to about 800 theaters this weekend, it should ease the minds of those who have been waiting patiently to see the Oscar-worthy film. For Mariah Carey, who plays social worker Ms. Weiss, the role has reinvigorated her film career. Some have even speculated that she's in line for a Golden Globe nomination and an Academy Award nod.

After her box office bomb 'Glitter,' which earned the singer a Razzie Award for worst actress of the year in 2002, Carey continued to do films such as 2002's indie pic 'Wisegirls,' which went straight to cable. Carey made a cameo appearance in Adam Sandler's 2008 film 'You Don't Mess With the Zohan.'

Earlier this year, she starred in 'Tennessee,' which was produced by Lee Daniels. In the film, Carey plays an aspiring singer who flees her controlling husband and joins two brothers on a journey to find their long-lost father.

Mariah Carey GlitterOscar winner Helen Mirren, who starred in Daniels' last film, 'Shadowboxer,' was the first choice to play Ms. Weiss, but she had to drop out due to previous commitments.

Carey spoke to Black Voices about working with Daniels and the physical changes required for the role.