Mariah Carey has said that she is a "prude" when she is away from the public eye.

The American singer confessed that her raunchy music videos and sexy image were not fair representations of her personality.

She told Allure: "It's a dichotomy, I understand. I understand that people think I'm a ditzy moron. But I'm more like a prude! I'm Mary Poppins.

"I'm what the buttoned-up girls are supposed to be."

Carey, who releases new single 'Touch My Body' on March 31, replaced Janet Jackson on Saturday Night Live at the weekend. Jackson pulled out after visiting a hospital in LA last week with flu.