Why Mariah Carey as Eminem in the Obsessed Video Still Matters

In 2009, the world stopped for a second because a legendary pop diva decided to put on a hoodie and a fake goatee. Honestly, it was one of the balliest moves in pop history. Mariah Carey, known for evening gowns and high notes, transformed into a baggy-clothed, frantic stalker who looked suspiciously like a certain Detroit rapper.

The Mariah Carey as Eminem moment wasn't just a costume. It was the climax of a feud that had been simmering since the early 2000s. People are still talking about it in 2026 because it represents a rare time a pop star actually fought back against the rap world’s most feared lyricist—and arguably won the PR war.

The Night Mariah Carey as Eminem Broke the Internet

When the "Obsessed" music video dropped, the speculation ended instantly. Mariah had spent years playing it cool, but here she was, playing a dual role. She was herself—the glamorous star—and a creepy man in a grey hoodie following her through the streets of New York.

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It was hilarious. It was petty. It was genius.

The video, directed by Brett Ratner, featured Mariah in a bellhop uniform and then in that infamous "b-boy" ensemble. She looked scarily like Marshall Mathers. While Mariah officially claimed she was just playing a "generic stalker" or even parodying a character from the 1983 film The King of Comedy, nobody bought that.

The goatee was a dead giveaway.

What Started the Beef?

This wasn't some random jab. It started way back in 2002. Eminem claimed the two had a relationship that lasted about six or seven months. Mariah’s response? Basically, "I don't know him."

She told Larry King she’d only met him about four times. To a guy like Eminem, that kind of public denial is like fuel for a fire. He started name-dropping her in songs like "Superman" and "When the Music Stops." He even played private voicemails during his concerts that he claimed were from her.

Fast forward to 2009. Eminem drops "Bagpipes from Baghdad." He’s taking shots at Mariah and her then-husband Nick Cannon. He wasn't letting go.

The "Obsessed" Response

Instead of a press release, Mariah gave us a bop. "Obsessed" was catchy, but the lyrics were the real weapon. She called him "delusional" and asked why he was lying about "sexing" her.

Then came the video. By appearing as Mariah Carey as Eminem, she flipped the script. She turned him into the "obsessed" fan rather than the tough rapper. It was a masterclass in psychological warfare.

The Recent 8 Mile Revelation

Interestingly, a new layer to this story surfaced recently. In late 2025 and early 2026, music producers and Mariah herself have addressed a long-standing rumor: that the beef actually started because of a movie.

Word is, Eminem wanted Mariah to play his mother in the film 8 Mile.

Think about that for a second. Mariah is only about four years older than Eminem. Being asked to play the "alcoholic mom" role reportedly hit her right in the insecurities. According to producer Damizza, that was the real spark. Imagine being one of the world's greatest beauties and having a guy ask you to play his mom.

She wasn't having it.

How Eminem Reacted (The Warning)

Eminem didn't take the "Obsessed" video lying down. He released "The Warning" just weeks later. It was brutal.

He didn't even make a song with a hook; he just rapped for three minutes straight. He addressed the video directly, saying, "Oh gee, is that supposed to be me in the video with the goatee? / Wow Mariah, didn't expect ya to go balls out." He threatened to release more photos and tapes.

But here’s the thing: while "The Warning" was a technical lyrical masterpiece, "Obsessed" stayed on the radio. It became a TikTok staple years later. Mariah realized that in the court of public opinion, making someone look "lame" is more effective than trying to out-rap them.

Why We Are Still Obsessed

The reason this specific moment—Mariah Carey as Eminem—is so iconic is that it broke the rules of celebrity conflict. Usually, singers stay in their lane and rappers stay in theirs.

Mariah crossed the border. She used her femininity and her acting skills to mock a hyper-masculine figure.

1. She proved she wasn't afraid.
2. She turned a "he-said, she-said" into a visual joke.
3. She made a song that survived the beef itself.

Even now, if you go to a club or scroll through social media, you’ll hear that intro: "I was like, why you so obsessed with me?" It’s a permanent part of the culture.

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Actionable Insights for Fans

If you're revisiting this feud or just discovering it, here's how to actually dive into the history:

• Watch the "Obsessed" video and look for the specific mannerisms Mariah adopts; she actually studied Eminem’s walk and posture to make the parody land.
• Listen to "The Warning" alongside it to see the contrast between pop satire and rap aggression.
• Check out Mariah's 2021 #WipeItDownChallenge on TikTok, where she brought back the Eminem persona for the anniversary, proving she still thinks the whole thing is hilarious.

The beef might be "squashed" or just old news to them, but the image of Mariah in that hoodie is forever. It taught us that sometimes the best way to handle a bully isn't to fight—it's to laugh.