Photo — Mariah Carey: Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Jennifer Lopez: Own work (CC BY 4.0)
The Short Version
The longstanding, heavily memeified pop culture dispute between Mariah Carey and Jennifer Lopez began with early 2000s music production conflicts and Carey's viral 'I don't know her' comment during a 2003 interview.
Latest Development
Carey addresses the comment again on Watch What Happens Live
Over two decades after the original quote, Carey returned to Watch What Happens Live and stood by her initial comment, asking host Andy Cohen, 'How could I suddenly know her?'
October 1, 2025 · Public statement
The Beef
Chronological, newest first. Every entry cites a source.
Beef timeline
October 1, 2025
Carey addresses the comment again on Watch What Happens Live
Public statementOver two decades after the original quote, Carey returned to Watch What Happens Live and stood by her initial comment, asking host Andy Cohen, 'How could I suddenly know her?'
Source ↗May 17, 2016
Carey clarifies 'I don't know her' on WWHL
Public statementCarey appeared on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen and explained that she knows who Lopez is professionally but does not know her on a personal level, jokingly acknowledging Lopez's 'forgetful' comment.
Source ↗March 2016
Lopez responds on 'The Wendy Williams Show'
Public statementAppearing on The Wendy Williams Show, Jennifer Lopez commented that Mariah Carey was 'forgetful' regarding her past remark, stating that the pair had met many times.
Source ↗2003
Carey utters viral 'I don't know her' line
Public statementAsked about Jennifer Lopez during a live interview on German television, Mariah Carey shook her head and replied 'I don't know her,' spawning an enduring internet meme.
Source ↗2001
Dispute emerges over 'Glitter' and 'J.Lo' sample usage
ReportedAccording to reports published by Showbiz411, producer Irv Gotti stated that Sony Music head Tommy Mottola instructed him to produce a record for Jennifer Lopez using the same 'Firecracker' sample and style that Mariah Carey had prepared for her 'Glitter' soundtrack.
Source ↗
Where It Stands
Active. Carey maintains that she does not know Lopez personally, reiterating the stance during a October 2025 television appearance on Watch What Happens Live.
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Sources
- 1.SourceCarey addresses the comment again on Watch What Happens Live · Oct 1, 2025
- 2.SourceCarey clarifies 'I don't know her' on WWHL · May 17, 2016
- 3.SourceLopez responds on 'The Wendy Williams Show' ·
- 4.SourceCarey utters viral 'I don't know her' line ·
- 5.SourceDispute emerges over 'Glitter' and 'J.Lo' sample usage ·
Allegations are attributed to the party that made them and are not statements of fact.