Mariah Carey dispels longstanding rumors about a rivalry between her and Whitney Houston: ‘She and I had the best time’
Mariah Carey wanted to clear the air regarding rumors that she shared a rivalry with Whitney Houston.
On the Tuesday episode of Naomi Campbell’s interview series No Filter with Naomi, the 50-year-old Fantasy singer took some time to discuss the public speculation regarding her relationship with the singing legend.
The two were first paired together to duet on an original track entitled When You Believe for the 1998 animated film The Prince of Egypt, and many felt that the two would not get along due to their individual levels of success.
Looking back: Mariah Carey discussed her past relationship with singing legend Whitney Houston in an interview with Naomi Campbell released on Tuesday
However, the Emotions singer was adamant that the singers meshed well together and that the relationship was beneficial for the both of them.
In speaking about working with her late collaborator, Carey stated, ‘She and I had the best time.’
Carey added: ‘Anyone who knew us both was like…they’re totally going to get along.’
The Visions of Love singer stated that there were many qualities about Houston that impressed and inspired her while they were working together.
From the start: Carey said that anyone who had met the two singers knew that they were ‘totally going to get along’
Carey stated that she enjoyed looking back on her collaborator’s presence, stating that: ‘I loved her spirit and her energy.’
The singer also noted that Houston was a guiding figure while they were working together, as the I Will Always Love You singer was very transparent about how she felt during the sessions.
‘I really appreciate her…giving of herself with me, because she didn’t have to be like that.’
Discussing the Saving All My Love for You singer’s legacy, Carey acknowledged the influence that Houston had on the music industry and to her fans, stating that, ‘I totally get who she was and what she meant to this world.
Soundtracks: The collaboration between the two was recorded for the 1998 animated film The Prince of Egypt; Houston is seen in 2002
Lasting effects: Carey stated that she was grateful for Houston’s presence, noting that she remembered her collaborator’s ‘spirit and her energy.’
The collaboration eventually peaked at number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100, and won the Academy Award for Best Original Song later that year.
This would be the only track that both artists worked on, but the two kept in touch, and Carey stated that she last saw Houston seven months before she passed away at the age of 48.
The All I Want for Christmas is You singer later went on to feature in a number of films, including Glitter, Precious, and The Butler.
Houston had previously graced the screen in The Bodyguard, which also featured the chart-topping singe And I Will Always Love You, which later won the Grammy Award for Record of the Year.
Not the first time: Houston had previously contributed to the soundtrack of 1992’s The Bodyguard, which she also starred in; she is seen at the 1988 Grammy Awards