Mariah Carey Doesn't Have Birthdays, Just Anniversaries

March 25, 2008 7:49 a.m. EST

Los Angeles, CA (CNS) - Mariah Carey doesn't have birthdays. According to the "Shake It Off" singer, she refuses to acknowledge her birthdays because getting old doesn't really sit well with her.

Carey has banned the word "birthday" and refers to them instead as "anniversaries." She says she prefers to think of herself as a child who will never grow up.

She tells Contactmusic, "I'm eternally 12. And that 12-year-old inside me is an eternal optimist. Honestly, I don't even have birthdays."

"I call them anniversaries. It really is about how young you feel. Some people convince themselves they are old, or they think, 'I have to grow up now.' I will still always choose a day at Disney World over a night in Las Vegas. That's who I am."

The songstress will celebrate her 38th "anniversary" on March 27.