Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Mariah Carey explains why she shaded Jennifer Lopez: 'I really was trying to say something nice'

'I really was'

Jack Shepherd
Thursday 29 November 2018 03:37 EST
Comments
Mariah Carey performs at Times Square on New Year’s Eve (T
Mariah Carey performs at Times Square on New Year’s Eve (T (Taylor Hill/FilmMagic)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

There are few memes as popular as Mariah Carey infamously saying "I don't know her" in response to German paparazzi asking about her opinion on Jennifer Lopez.

Despite appearing to pretend not to know Lopez, Carey has since said the moment was not intended to be "shade" against the Grammy-nominee.

"I really was trying to say something nice or say nothing at all," she told Pitchfork. "I really was."

The two pop singers had apparently been feuding for a year when Carey uttered the iconic line in the early 2000s, record producer Irv Gotti later claiming their fallout began when Carey heard a sample from her unreleased track "Loveboy" on Lopez’s single "I’m Real".

Carey has spoken about the moment numerous times over the years, telling TMZ back in 2016: "I still don't know her!"

Appearing on Watch What Happens Live that same year, Carey was asked once again about the comment. “That was so long ago, I can’t believe people still make such a big deal about it.”

Carey confirmed that she did not know the "Jenny from the Block" singer personally, which contrasts with Lopez's former claims that they had met "many times".

“I don’t know her. What am I supposed to say? I’m not gonna put on a thing like ‘oh we’re all Hollywood, let’s all pretend we’re best friends because we’re in that land.”

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in