It’s hard to deny that the long-standing rivalry between Eminem and Mariah Carey is captivating.
Despite their remarkable achievements in the music industry, the rapper and the “Fantasy” singer have found it challenging to move past their emotions and reach an agreement after Eminem alleged they had a romantic relationship.
“I don’t want to say anything disrespectful because I respect her as a singer, but on a personal level, I’m not really feeling it. I just don’t like her as a person,” Eminem told Rolling Stone in 2002. “I gotta be honest; I learned a lesson from it: Don’t believe the hype. I have respect for her, but she doesn’t really have it all together. I’ll just say that and that she’s a beautiful woman.”
From Carey’s viewpoint, she adamantly maintains that there was never any romantic involvement with Eminem and viewed their brief interaction solely as professional.
The ongoing feud has featured everything from diss tracks to subtle jabs during interviews. The tension escalated further when Carey released her single “Obsessed” from Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel, where she notably donned a disguise resembling Eminem in the music video.
Fifteen years after the debut of Memoirs, Us Weekly revisits the dramatic saga between these two stars:
2001
When Eminem was reaching the peak of his career, Carey sought his assistance for her Charmbracelet album. Eminem claims a romantic relationship blossomed and lasted several months, while Carey insists it was purely a professional interaction.
May 2002
Listeners noticed Eminem’s mention of Carey on the track “Superman” from his album The Eminem Show.
“What you trying to be? My new wife?” he rapped. “What, you Mariah? Fly through twice.” On another song, “When the Music Stops,” he stated, “What the f— you take me for, a joke? You smoking crack? ‘Fore I do that, I’d beg Mariah to take me back.”
December 2002
Mariah divulged more insight into her ties with Eminem through a song called “Clown” on her album Charmbracelet.
“You should’ve never intimated we were lovers,” she sang, “when you know very well we never even touched each other.”
In a subsequent interview on Larry King Live, Carey clarified her interactions with the rapper, saying, “I hung out with him, I spoke to him on the phone. I was probably with him a total of four times, and I don’t consider that dating.”
2003
The New York Post disclosed that Eminem kept numerous “long, gushy” voicemails from Carey that he might incorporate into a song. Carey humorously responded by questioning, “I don’t know what the hell he’s doing. Isn’t it excessive? Doesn’t it come off a bit girly? Like we’re in a catfight?”
2006
In his track “Jimmy Crack Corn,” Eminem reignited his feud with Carey, rapping, “Your mind’s on us like mine’s on Mariah,” adding that “y’all are just like her, you’re all f—ing liars.” Later this year, he reportedly claimed during a Shade 45 radio appearance that he had a relationship with Carey lasting around seven months.
“I wasn’t really into what she was into; our personalities collided,” Eminem said. “She’s a diva, and I’m just a bit more regular, I guess.”
2009
Eminem took aim at Carey and her then-husband, Nick Cannon, in the track “Bagpipes From Baghdad,” rapping, “Mariah, whatever happened to us? / Why did we have to break up? / Nick Cannon, you prick, I wish you luck with the f—in’ whore.”
Not pleased with Eminem’s lyrics, Cannon responded publicly, stating, “I thought we got past the days where white men could spew vulgar obscenities at our beautiful queens and get away with it.” He indicated that Eminem would come to regret disrespecting his wife.
This led to a series of diss tracks, including Carey’s “Obsessed” and Eminem’s “The Warning,” in which Carey infamously donned a drag disguise resembling Eminem.
2010
During an interview with Vibe magazine, Eminem expressed desires to put their feud behind him, stating, “I really don’t want to talk about her anymore. I don’t want to keep beating a dead horse. I’m done with that whole situation. I said what I had to say. I’m done.”
2016
After Cannon’s divorce from Carey following a six-year marriage, he reflected on his involvement in the Eminem drama, stating, “The way the Eminem thing started was that I never had an issue with him. If anything, I’ve been one of his biggest fans, but when another man crosses a line of disrespect, then you got to deal with it.”
2019
On T.I.’s “ExpediTlously” podcast, Cannon revealed that Eminem had offered an apology. However, this situation soured as Eminem featured on Fat Joe’s track “Lord Above,” where he referred to Carey as a “nut job.”
2020
After Carey published her memoir, The Meaning of Mariah Carey, it became apparent that Eminem was not mentioned. When questioned about his absence, she explained to Variety: “There are some songs that I can sing in response to that, but I will not do it. If someone or something didn’t pertain to the actual meaning of Mariah Carey, as the title suggests, then they aren’t in the book.”
June 2025
In June 2025, during an episode of the “TFU” podcast, music producer Damion “Damizza” Young, shared that he was responsible for introducing Carey to Eminem. He recounted Eminem’s interest in casting Carey in his 2002 film 8 Mile—specifically wanting her to play his character’s mother.
“She did not like that at all. Her insecurities kicked in big time,” Young stated.
Young also warned Eminem against making this offer, citing potential complications, reminiscing, “Don’t do this. I know where you’re going with this. I’m managing this girl, and it’s gonna cause me a problem. If I don’t say something and then it comes another route in business or something, then I’m the bad guy.”
The role ultimately went to Kim Basinger, who is 19 years Eminem’s senior.
October 2025
During a segment on Watch What Happens Live, host Andy Cohen raised the topic of Young’s assertion that Eminem asked Carey to portray his mother in 8 Mile.
“From what I heard, there’s truth to that, but I don’t think that he actually…” Carey shared. “Well, who knows who approached who?”
When Cohen queried whether this led to their ongoing animosity, Carey remarked cautiously, “No. Maybe. It depends on what he’s thinking. I really don’t care. Whatever he’s said, then I’m that, fine. Not really, but that’s a rap lyric.”
