Pop superstar Mariah Carey has finally addressed the long-standing speculation regarding the root of her legendary and decades-long feud with rapper Eminem.
Appearing on a "Plead the Fifth" segment with late-night host Andy Cohen on Watch What Happens Live, Carey reluctantly confirmed a rumor that their issues may have started with a bizarre movie casting request.
Cohen directly asked the singer about a claim made by music producer Damion "Damizza" Young, who alleged that the real reason the two artists began their feud was because Eminem approached Carey to play the role of his mother in his 2002 semi-autobiographical film, 8 Mile.
Considering Carey is only four years older than Eminem, the request was seen as highly insulting.
Carey responded: "From what I heard, there is truth to that. But I don't think that he actually—well, who knows who approached who."
When pressed by Cohen on whether that moment "ignited the beef," the "We Belong Together" singer remained characteristically non-committal yet dismissive: "Um, no. I mean, maybe. It depends what he's thinking. I really don't care. Like, whatever he's said, then I'm that, fine. Not really. But that's a rap lyric."
A Feud for the Ages
The pop diva's casual confirmation provides new context to one of the most public celebrity feuds of the 2000s and beyond.
The tensions between the two artists first flared in the early 2000s after Eminem publicly claimed they had been romantically involved for several months.
Carey has always consistently denied the relationship, stating they only met a handful of times professionally.
The back-and-forth escalated into a series of highly publicized musical jabs:
Eminem first referenced Carey negatively in songs like "Superman" (2002) and "When the Music Stops."
Carey seemed to respond subtly on her 2002 track "Clown," with lyrics like, "You should've never intimidated we were lovers / When you know very well we never even touched each other."
The feud peaked in 2009. After Eminem targeted Carey and her then-husband Nick Cannon in "Bagpipes From Baghdad," Carey released her iconic single "Obsessed" and its music video, where she dressed up as a hoodie-wearing, obsessive male stalker—a clear parody of Eminem.
Eminem quickly retaliated with the brutal diss track "The Warning," which threatened to release alleged voicemails from Carey.
The role of Eminem's mother in 8 Mile ultimately went to actress Kim Basinger, who is 19 years older than the rapper.
Carey's nonchalant response to the enduring drama—calling his lyrical attacks simply "a rap lyric"—suggests the iconic star has long since moved past the decades-long tension.
Given her history of "not knowing her," do you think Mariah Carey will ever acknowledge the full extent of the Eminem feud?
Tell us your thoughts and favorite diss tracks (from either side!) in the comments below!
Appearing on a "Plead the Fifth" segment with late-night host Andy Cohen on Watch What Happens Live, Carey reluctantly confirmed a rumor that their issues may have started with a bizarre movie casting request.
Cohen directly asked the singer about a claim made by music producer Damion "Damizza" Young, who alleged that the real reason the two artists began their feud was because Eminem approached Carey to play the role of his mother in his 2002 semi-autobiographical film, 8 Mile.
Considering Carey is only four years older than Eminem, the request was seen as highly insulting.
Carey responded: "From what I heard, there is truth to that. But I don't think that he actually—well, who knows who approached who."
When pressed by Cohen on whether that moment "ignited the beef," the "We Belong Together" singer remained characteristically non-committal yet dismissive: "Um, no. I mean, maybe. It depends what he's thinking. I really don't care. Like, whatever he's said, then I'm that, fine. Not really. But that's a rap lyric."
A Feud for the Ages
The pop diva's casual confirmation provides new context to one of the most public celebrity feuds of the 2000s and beyond.
The tensions between the two artists first flared in the early 2000s after Eminem publicly claimed they had been romantically involved for several months.
Carey has always consistently denied the relationship, stating they only met a handful of times professionally.
The back-and-forth escalated into a series of highly publicized musical jabs:
Eminem first referenced Carey negatively in songs like "Superman" (2002) and "When the Music Stops."
Carey seemed to respond subtly on her 2002 track "Clown," with lyrics like, "You should've never intimidated we were lovers / When you know very well we never even touched each other."
The feud peaked in 2009. After Eminem targeted Carey and her then-husband Nick Cannon in "Bagpipes From Baghdad," Carey released her iconic single "Obsessed" and its music video, where she dressed up as a hoodie-wearing, obsessive male stalker—a clear parody of Eminem.
Eminem quickly retaliated with the brutal diss track "The Warning," which threatened to release alleged voicemails from Carey.
The role of Eminem's mother in 8 Mile ultimately went to actress Kim Basinger, who is 19 years older than the rapper.
Carey's nonchalant response to the enduring drama—calling his lyrical attacks simply "a rap lyric"—suggests the iconic star has long since moved past the decades-long tension.
Given her history of "not knowing her," do you think Mariah Carey will ever acknowledge the full extent of the Eminem feud?
Tell us your thoughts and favorite diss tracks (from either side!) in the comments below!
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