Mariah Carey wins five-year legal battle over memoir claims
A New York court dismissed her brother Morgan's $20 million defamation claim over statements in her 2020 memoir.
Mariah Carey won a five-year legal battle after a New York court threw out her brother Morgan's remaining claims over her 2020 memoir, The Meaning of Mariah Carey. Morgan Carey said his sister hurt his reputation.
Morgan claimed she called him violent, said he sold cocaine, and described his childhood problems. Morgan Carey claimed damages of more than $20 million.
The judge found Morgan failed to prove Mariah knew the statements were false or acted without care for the truth. The judge said Morgan gave no proof of this.
Simply pointing to their damaged relationship was not enough. Mariah's lawyer said the ruling shows authors need broad protection when speaking about matters of public concern.
- $20 million
- Damages claimed
- 2020
- Memoir published
- May 28, 2021
- Lawsuit filed
- Five years
- Battle duration
Why it mattersThe ruling protects authors' right to write truthfully about their own lives without fear of being sued for damages.
AustraliaNo direct Australian effect, though the case sets precedent for memoir authors worldwide including those in Australia.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 18 h ago
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