During a segment of “Plead the Fifth” on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen on Wednesday (Oct. 1), the iconic singer was asked whether their drama began when the superstar rapper allegedly asked her to play his mother in his 2002 autobiographical film 8 Mile.
Earlier this summer, music producer Damion “Damizza” Young — who began working with Carey in the late 1980s — claimed on the TFU podcast that he introduced Eminem to the pop superstar. Young claimed Eminem wanted Carey to portray his alcoholic mother in 8 Mile, despite being just four years younger than her. Carey declined the role, which eventually went to Kim Basinger. Eminem has made numerous lyrical references over the years to an alleged relationship with Carey, dating back to 2001. His 2002 album, The Eminem Show, featured multiple mentions of the rumored romance, particularly on tracks like “When the Music Stops” and “Superman.” Carey, however, has repeatedly denied that a relationship ever took place. In 2009, Carey appeared to take a playful jab at Eminem in the music video for her song “Obsessed,” where she dressed as a male stalker, a move widely interpreted as a response to the rapper’s lyrics.