Mariah Carey will finally be able to put Glitter behind her after being awarded a prize for her performance in Precious.

In a stunning turn-around for her film career, the American diva - who was panned by critics for her performance in 2001 movie Glitter - will receive the breakthrough performance award for her role in Precious: Based on the Novel Push By Sapphire at the 21st annual Palm Springs International Film Festival, said The Hollywood Reporter.

"We're delighted to be able to present the Breakthrough Performance Award to the extraordinary, very beautiful and versatile Mariah Carey, who, in a critically acclaimed role, completely transformed herself from a glamorous music icon to a forthright social worker for the role of Ms Weiss in Precious," festival chairman Harold Matzner said in a statement.

Previous recipients of the gong include Marion Cotillard, Jennifer Hudson, Freida Pinto and Felicity Huffman.

Mariah, whose new album Memoirs Of An Imperfect Angel is out now, has admitted her regrets about Glitter.

"When I was doing Glitter, it was such a drama because I didn't have the right support system behind me. That's nothing against anybody, it's just there was no script really and it was just wasn't the right thing at all," she told GMTV.

The singer-actress will join previously announced honorees Morgan Freeman and Anna Kendrick at the star-studded ceremony, which takes place at the Palm Springs Convention Centre on January 5.