Carey says there may be truth to 8 Mile origin claims in Eminem feud

Mariah Carey addressed renewed claims about the origins of her long-running feud with Eminem during an appearance Wednesday on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, saying she has heard there is some truth to a producer’s account but stopping short of confirming specifics. The exchange came as host Andy Cohen asked Carey about allegations that the dispute began when Eminem asked her to play his mother in the 2002 film 8 Mile.

“From what I heard there is truth to that,” Carey told Cohen, adding that she did not know who first approached whom. When Cohen asked whether that interaction had ignited the feud, Carey replied, “No. I mean, maybe. It depends what he’s thinking. I really don’t care.” She described some of the posturing between the two as lyrical barbs rather than a personal vendetta.

The comments respond to claims made in June by music producer Damion Damizza Young, who said on a podcast that he introduced Carey to Eminem and that the rapper had discussed casting her as his character’s mother in the semi autobiographical film. Young said Carey was offended by the suggestion, that the role ultimately went to Kim Basinger, and that the interaction helped precipitate...