Mariah Carey Explains Iconic “I Don’t Know Her” Shade, Says She Was “Trying To Say Something Nice”

After more than 20 years in the industry with incredible historical success, Mariah Carey has solidified her legacy in the music biz. But, amid her long run as the “Songbird Supreme” – as described by the Guinness World Records, in regards to her five-octave vocal range – the living legend has also embraced another title: A Diva. 

In embracing the “diva role,” Carey has had her fair share of diva/shady moments, between that time she shaded Ariana Grande on “Carpool Karaoke” to the time she threw shade at Nicki Minaj in an interview with Barber Walters. 

But, Carey’s most shadiest moment of all time was the infamous, “I don’t know her” claim when asked about fellow singer/actress, Jennifer Lopez. 

That moment ultimately became one of the biggest memes of all time, as it dragged on for years, despite Lopez’s rebuttal. In fact, in 2016, the “All I Want For Christmas” singer doubled down on her claims, saying the two may have crossed paths, but she still didn’t “know” Jenny from the Block. 

But now, in a recent interview with Pitchfork, Carey is opening up about the iconic moment, offering an explanation for how the incident unfolded. As it turns out, the diva was just trying to be nice. 

“I really was trying to say something nice or say nothing at all,” Carey said. “I really was.”