When Carey compiled her first compilation effort, "#1's", "When You Believe" was included in the track listing. According to Carey, the song was included because she felt it was "a miracle" that she and Houston collaborated on a record. During the development of "All That Glitters" (a film Carey was working on at the time, later known as "Glitter"), she had been introduced to DreamWorks co-owner Jeffrey Katzenberg, who asked her if she would record the song "When You Believe" for the soundtrack of the animated film "The Prince of Egypt". Houston, on the other hand, was introduced to the project through Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, with whom she had been collaborating on her album, "My Love Is Your Love". After they were shown the film separately, both became very enthusiastic about participating in the project.