Pop singer Mariah Carey wants to have a "balanced" life, which gives her the opportunity to make great music as well as lead a "normal" family life away from the glamour celeb world.

The New Straits Times Online quoted her as saying: "I hope to be able to do both. It's a difficult balancing act."

The 39-year-old songbird was addressing a press conference to promote her latest album Memoirs of An Imperfect Angel.

Speaking about her plans for her personal life, Carey, who walked down the aisle with Nick Cannon over a year ago, said, "I will definitely take time off. I really have to make time to raise a family because I don't believe in doing that half-heartedly. At the same time, I still want to make music when I want to."

Carey, who delivered a string of flops before winning over the critics by her performance in Lee Daniel's Precious, is looking forward to a serious acting career.

She said, "This is what I love doing â€” writing music, making songs and performing.

"This is who I am. And now I have this movie that I'm excited about."

Carey is currently on a worldwide tour to promote her album Memoirs of An Imperfect Angel.

Her next stop is Japan.