Mariah Carey has no regrets about her infamous 2001 nervous breakdown, now describing her public disintegration as an emotional "breakthrough."

The singer was treated for extreme exhaustion in July 2001 following her eccentric behavior during a couple of public appearances. But Carey insists she needed to "hit rock bottom" to comprehend what her non-stop work ethic was doing to her.

She tells magazine Interview, "I'm far from perfect. I'm still learning. I overworked myself, and I paid the price. I consider the breakdown a breakthrough. I needed to hit rock bottom. I needed to understand the cost of pushing so hard; fighting so hard against the system. But was I out of control at that moment? Yes."

Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger - and Mariah certainly came back stronger than ever (at least sales-wise) with her 2005 CD. Does she have another in the works? I haven't heard anything.

I think she's right. I've hit rock bottom a few times in my life and it does make you stronger if you come through it.

I like Mariah. I hope she'll be okay from now on.