For decades, the world has known Karen Carpenter as the angelic voice behind “Close to You” and “We’ve Only Just Begun”. Her voice carried a haunting purity, a gentle strength that touched millions of hearts. But to Perry Como, the legendary crooner who shared both stages and quiet moments with her, Karen was far more than the soft-spoken star the world believed her to be.
In a rare interview reflecting on their friendship, Perry Como lifted the curtain on the Karen he knew.
“Karen had this playful sparkle,” he recalled with a smile. “People always saw the shy girl behind the drums, but when you were with her in private, she was full of laughter, always teasing, always making the room feel lighter.”
According to Perry, Karen was a deeply caring soul who went out of her way to make others feel at ease — even when she was quietly struggling with her own battles. He remembered evenings when she would hum old standards, sometimes switching from her signature ballads to jazz improvisations that stunned even veteran musicians.
“She wasn’t just the voice of heartbreak,” Perry said. “She was joy, humor, and warmth. That’s the Karen I’ll always remember.”
Fans who have long associated Karen Carpenter with melancholy and fragility are often surprised by this glimpse of her true personality — a woman of light, laughter, and hidden strength.
Even today, listening to her voice feels like opening a window to her soul. Thanks to friends like Perry Como, the world can now see the full portrait of Karen Carpenter: not only the timeless voice that touched the heavens, but also the radiant heart that lit up the lives of those lucky enough to know her.
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