Mariah Carey prompted tears on the set of her new movie Tennessee after performing a song she co-wrote with country music icon Willie Nelson.

The star, who plays an aspiring country singer in the film, unveiled track Right To Dream last week – and the film’s director Aaron Woodley admits he was “moved” by the star’s emotionally charged performance:

“People were weeping on the crew when she sang it. It’s very moving, especially in the context of the film and her character.”

And Woodley adds Nashville, Tennessee locals were star-struck after spying Carey filming in their hometown.

He explains, “There I am, sitting on the edge of a boxcar with Mariah Carey, breezing through town. We slowed down to go over a bridge, and there were people sitting in cars. I think they did a double-take: ‘I swear I just saw Mariah Carey on a boxcar.’”