Sara Botkin survived the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center after stopping to buy Mariah Carey's new album Glitter delayed her morning commute.
Botkin worked for Aon Corporation in an office on the 105th floor of the South Tower in Lower Manhattan. On Tuesday morning, she departed from her usual routine to visit a music store before heading into work.
A long-time fan of Carey, Botkin wanted to purchase Glitter on its official release date. That brief detour altered her arrival time at the World Trade Center and saved her life.
Aon Corporation is a global financial and insurance brokerage firm that occupied several upper floors of the South Tower. The 110-story skyscraper was part of the landmark commercial complex in New York City.
Morning of the World Trade Center Attacks
Glitter was released on September 11, 2001, the same morning two hijacked airliners struck the Twin Towers. As the tragedy unfolded, worldwide attention shifted immediately to Lower Manhattan.
Botkin was walking toward the complex with the CD in her hand when the attack occurred. Looking up, she saw paper and debris floating through the air, describing the scene as surreal and hard to comprehend.
Inside the South Tower, building authorities advised many workers to stay inside their offices. Botkin chose instead to join a small group that evacuated the building before conditions worsened.
Impact on Mariah Carey and Glitter
Carey had envisioned Glitter as a major milestone in her career. The project served as the soundtrack to a feature film starring Carey and featured tracks such as Loverboy, Never Too Far, Reflections (Care Enough), and Don't Stop (Funkin' 4 Jamaica).
The terrorist attacks overshadowed the album's release completely. Carey later acknowledged that the tragedy profoundly affected the commercial success and public reception of the record.
In subsequent interviews, Botkin explained that she avoids calling her escape a miracle. She stated that she prefers to view her survival as extraordinary luck on a day when many families lost loved ones.
Signed CD and the Fan Campaign
Botkin's story eventually reached Carey. Learning how the album release had delayed her fan, Carey sent Botkin a signed copy of Glitter, a dedicated photograph, and a short note wishing her God's blessing.
Years later, the album experienced a surprise revival. In 2018, thousands of Carey's fans launched the #JusticeForGlitter campaign, arguing that the record deserved a second chance after its 2001 release.
The mobilization propelled Glitter to the top spot on digital charts in several countries, giving the album a new legacy decades after its initial release.
Botkin still keeps the signed CD as a treasured item. She views the album as a permanent reminder of the unexpected moment music altered her path on September 11.
