Mariah Carey v. Jennifer Lopez: Timeline of a Feud

JLO MARIAH

Despite my consistent digs at Mariah Carey, I’m a longtime fan, and I remember the original Mariah as a down-to-earth girl from New York that was in over her head in an unhealthy marriage, which simultaneously shackled her creativity. As soon as it ended, her real personality came through, and she became ever-the-more likable. Then . . . something changed. My guess is that the superstar could not adjust to the changing tide of social media, and she might also have thin skin. Her fashion choices stayed stagnant in over-the-top, glamorous gowns and her attempt to brush-off controversial questions resulted in an out-of-touch hand waves with excessive “Dah-Lings.” And for some time, that was Jennifer Lopez’s problem too. Anyone who has been in this business for over a decade is well aware of the drama that surrounded Lopez’s original team and their untouchable diva demands, which were often unknown by Lopez herself. She admits to making serious adjustments, and the impressive about-face was shockingly effective. After all, if her career can survive that Bennifer debacle, it can survive just about anything. So why did Lopez change and Mariah didn’t? Again, my guess is she cannot accept criticism, and in a recent on-the-street interview, she once again took aim at Lopez. As it turns out, Mariah might have reason to resent Lopez, but you’d never know it from her limited explanations, and as far as the public’s concerned, she just seems mean spirited. Here’s a timeline of their feud, and the reasons behind it.

2001: Jennifer Lopez allegedly stole Mariah Carey’s idea to sample Yellow Magic Orchestra’s “Firecracker” for JLO’s hit song “I’m Real.” Mariah had planned to use the song for “Loverboy,” but Lopez beat her to the punch. Rumor has it Carey’s ex-husband Tommy Mottola got wind of Mariah’s plan and orchestrated the theft for Lopez, who was his artist at the time.

 

2002: When asked about the stolen sample, Mariah said, “Let’s just say they did me a favor. And they know who they are. And thank you, sweetie. And your friend who did it with you!” Sources suggest that the “sweetie” in question is Jennifer Lopez, and the shady business gave Carey leverage to make an early exit from her Sony contract, which resulted in a huge new contract with EMI/Virgin.

2008: In an interview with a German television show, Mariah sang the praises of Beyonce, but when asked about Jennifer, she infamously said, “I don’t know her.”

2015: Mariah explains she was “just being honest,” and really doesn’t know Jennifer Lopez

2016: Mariah “Still doesn’t know Jennifer Lopez”

2016: Jennifer Lopez visits Watch What Happens Live and won’t take Andy Cohen’s bait. She continued to deny any ill-feelings toward Mariah.

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