Mariah Carey Responds to Eminem Feud: “I Don’t Care at All”

Mariah Carey recently addressed her ongoing feud with Eminem during her appearance on Watch What Happens Live last night. It was a moment filled with some laughter, but also hints of seriousness.

Host Andy Cohen invited the singer to participate in a game of “Plead The Fifth,” which allowed her to skip answering one of three questions he posed. Initially, he asked about her earnings from “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” Carey artfully sidestepped the question, choosing to move on. He then mentioned Nick Cannon’s claim about insuring his genitals for $10 million, eliciting a humorous response—“Lord, help me,” before she asked for the next question.

The Origin of the Feud

During the chat, Cohen brought up a recent claim made by a music producer regarding the roots of the feud between Carey and Eminem. He suggested it began when Eminem allegedly proposed that Carey play his mother in *8 Mile*. “Is there any truth to that?” Cohen questioned.

“From what I heard, there is some truth to that,” Carey replied. “But I don’t think it was as straightforward as who approached who.”

Did It Spark the Beef?

When pressed about whether that interaction sparked their ongoing dispute, Carey was nonchalant. “Um, no. I mean, maybe. It depends on what he’s thinking. I really don’t care. Whatever he’s said, fine. Not really. But that’s a rap lyric,” she stated.

Timeline of Tension

The friction between Carey and Eminem traces back to the early 2000s. Eminem alleged they were romantically involved for a few months, a claim Carey has explicitly denied. Following this, he referenced her in multiple tracks, including “When the Music Stops” and “Superman.” In her 2002 hit “Clown,” Carey expressed her side, singing lines that hinted at their relationship: “You should’ve never intimated we were lovers/ When you know very well we never even touched each other.”

In 2006, Eminem reignited the conflict with his song “Jimmy Crack Corn,” featuring the lines, “Your mind’s on us like mine’s on Mariah/ And y’all are just like her, you’re all fucking liars.” He also made mentions of Cannon, Carey’s then-husband, in “Bagpipes From Baghdad.” Cannon responded in a now-deleted blog post, expressing his discontent over the situation.

A New Chapter in the Feud

Fast forward to 2009, Eminem unleashed “The Warning,” a track that directly targeted Carey after she parodied him in her “Obsessed” video. Eminem rapped, “I’m obsessed now? Oh gee, is that supposed to be me in the video with the goatee?” He further threatened to reveal private phone conversations between them.

This year, music producer Damion “Damizza” Young appeared on a podcast, recounting his experience working with Carey. He claimed he facilitated the introduction between her and Eminem and mentioned that the rapper had intended to cast her in *8 Mile* as his character’s mother, which did not sit well with Carey. “Her insecurities kicked in big time,” he stated. Kim Basinger, who is significantly older than Eminem, ended up taking the role.