Mariah Carey's time trouble

Jul 21, 2008, 4:00 GMT

05/15/2008 - Mariah Carey - 5th Annual Operation Smile Gala - Arrivals - Skylight Studio - New York City, NY, USA © Janet Mayer / PR Photos

Mariah Carey claims she can't help running late.

The 'Touch My Body' singer - who has previously kept fans waiting at concerts and record signings - tries to be punctual but can never quite manage it.

She said: "I always run at least half an hour late. I am such a bad timekeeper. I don't know how I always manage to do it but I do. I try my best but it doesn't bother me that I can't keep time."

While Mariah, 38, isn't worried by her lax timekeeping, she admits her 27-year-old husband Nick Cannon - who she married in April - is finding it hard to deal with.

She added to gossip website Absolute Now: "Nick has been trying to keep me in check."

It was recently reported Mariah is set to have her own Las Vegas residency, after being offered a £50 million deal to perform every night for three years at Las Vegas' Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino.

A source said: "Mariah is one of the most popular performers around. She could easily become the queen of the Las Vegas strip."

If the deal goes ahead, the 'Fantasy' singer would be following in the footsteps of Celine Dion, Cher, Sir Elton John and Bette Midler, who

have all completed residencies in the gambling capital.