Mariah Carey wins dismissal of brother's $20 million defamation lawsuit

A U.S. district judge dismissed Mariah Carey’s brother’s $20 million defamation lawsuit on Monday, ending a two‑year legal battle over a tell‑all memoir the singer planned to release. The case, filed by Derek Carey in New York federal court, alleged that the memoir contained false statements that harmed his reputation and sought damages that would have forced the project to stall.

The lawsuit began after excerpts of Carey’s memoir circulated among publishers in early 2022. Derek claimed the draft accused him of mismanaging family finances and of personal misconduct, allegations he said were untrue and damaging. The dispute surfaced as celebrity memoirs have become lucrative, with publishers eager to cash in on insider stories. Legal experts warned that a high‑profile defamation suit could set a precedent, potentially chilling future memoirs that touch on family matters. The case also highlighted the tension between an artist’s right to tell her story and a relative’s right to protect his image.

Judge John G. Koeltl ruled that Derek had not demonstrated “actual malice,” the legal standard required for a public figure to win a defamation claim. He noted that many passages were either opinion or based on events that could not be proven false beyond a reasonable doubt. Carey’s lawyer, Larry Miller, called the decision “a victory for free expression.” Derek’s attorney, Susan Patel, said they would consider an appeal but emphasized the family’s desire to resolve the matter privately. With the suit thrown out, Carey is free to move forward with her memoir, which is expected to hit shelves later this year, and the case may close the chapter on a public feud that has lingered for over a decade.