Entertainment · October 19, 2026
Mariah Carey Wins Dismissal of Brother’s Defamation Lawsuit Over Bestselling Memoir
A New York State Supreme Court judge has dismissed a long-running defamation lawsuit filed by Morgan Carey against his sister, singer Mariah Carey. The lawsuit centered on passages in her 2020 memoir, 'The Meaning of Mariah Carey,' which allegedly portrayed Morgan as violent and suggested he was involved in drug trafficking. Judge Leslie A. Stroth ruled that Morgan failed to meet the legal standard of 'actual malice,' which requires proof that the author knew the statements were false or acted with reckless disregard for the truth. Mariah Carey's legal team expressed gratification with the ruling, citing its importance for authors speaking on public concerns, while Morgan Carey's attorney announced plans to appeal.
Read the original coverage
- BillboardTrade
Mariah Carey Wins Dismissal of Brother’s Defamation Lawsuit Over Bestselling Memoir
Read at Billboard ↗ - Rolling StoneMainstream
Mariah Carey Beats Brother's $20 Million Defamation Lawsuit Over Tell-All Memoir
Read at Rolling Stone ↗ - TMZTabloid
Mariah Carey's Defamation Lawsuit Dismissed By Judge
Read at TMZ ↗ Mariah Carey $20 Million Defamation Lawsuit Over Memoir Dismissed
Read at The Hollywood Reporter ↗
Reported by multiple outlets
- Judge Leslie A. Stroth dismissed the defamation lawsuit against Mariah Carey on October 19.
- The lawsuit concerned Mariah Carey's 2020 memoir, 'The Meaning of Mariah Carey.'
- Morgan Carey alleged the book defamed him by suggesting he sold cocaine ('powdered party favors') and was violent.
- The judge ruled that Morgan Carey failed to sufficiently plead 'actual malice.'
- Morgan Carey first filed the lawsuit in 2021.
Reported by only some outlets
- Morgan Carey sought damages believed to exceed $20 million.
- Morgan's attorney, Richard Altman, plans to appeal the decision.
- A previous judge, Barbara Jaffe, had dismissed many claims in 2022 but allowed two to move forward before retiring.
- New York anti-SLAPP law requires public figure plaintiffs to show actual malice.
- Mariah Carey reportedly relied on her mother as a source for some material in the book.
Confirmed
- Judge Leslie A. Stroth dismissed Morgan Carey's defamation lawsuit.
- The ruling was based on a failure to prove 'actual malice.'
- The lawsuit was originally filed in 2021 regarding the 2020 memoir 'The Meaning of Mariah Carey.'
- Morgan Carey's attorney intends to appeal.
Reported
- Morgan Carey's damages were believed to exceed $20 million. (Rolling Stone)
- The ruling is inconsistent with prior rulings in the case. (Richard Altman (Morgan Carey's attorney))
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