Mariah Carey recently spoke up about the long-running feud between her and rapper Eminem. New claims have surfaced about what really started their infamous rivalry.
The "Here for It All" singer, 56, played a game called "Plead the Fifth" on "Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen" on Wednesday, October 1. One of the many juicy questions thrown at the superstar was whether Eminem, 52, had ever asked her to play his mother in his life story movie, 8 Mile. Music producer Damion "Damizza" Young first made this surprising claim during a podcast in June.
"From what I heard, there’s some truth to that," Carey told host Andy Cohen. "But I don’t think he really… Well, who knows who reached out to whom."
Cohen then pressed her, asking, "Did that ignite the dispute?"
Carey shrugged off the idea, downplaying their ongoing disagreement. "No. Maybe. It depends on what he’s thinking," she answered. "Honestly, I don’t care. If he said it, then I am that, it’s okay. Not really, but that’s a rap lyric."
Back in June, Damion Young, who started working with Carey in 1988, shared his side of the story. He claimed he was the one who first introduced the two artists. Young appeared on the "TFU" podcast and stated that Slim Shady, as Eminem is also known, apparently wanted Carey to play his character’s mom in 8 Mile. Carey is four years older than Eminem.
Young suggested that Carey wasn’t thrilled with the idea. "She didn’t like that at all," he said. "Her insecurities immediately got activated." He even warned Eminem against making the offer. "Don’t do it," Young recalled telling the rapper. "I know where you’re going with this. I’m representing this girl, and this is going to cause me a problem. If I don’t say something and then other things come up in the business, then I’m the bad guy." The role of Eminem’s mother eventually went to Kim Basinger, who is 19 years older than him.
Over the years, Eminem and Carey have given different accounts of their past. Eminem has claimed they dated, while Carey has always denied it. In a 2002 interview with Larry King, after Eminem hinted at a romance in a Rolling Stone interview, Carey clarified her position. "I dated him, talked on the phone," she explained. "I think I was with him about four times in total. And I don’t consider that dating someone."
Years later, in 2006, Eminem reportedly spoke about their connection on his Shade 45 radio station. He claimed they dated for about seven months. "I wasn’t really into the same thing as her; our personalities clashed," he said, adding, "She’s a diva and I’m a bit more normal, I guess."
Carey’s recent, relaxed comments show she’s not letting the old claims bother her much these days. It seems for her, the story is just another old rap lyric.