Mariah Carey Said She Was "Extremely Uncomfortable" With That Ellen DeGeneres Pregnancy Interview

Mariah Carey spoke to Vulture about the now-infamous interview, during which DeGeneres served her champagne in an effort to force her to reveal her pregnancy.

beverly hills, california october 11 mariah carey attends varietys 2019 power of women los angeles presented by lifetime at the beverly wilshire four seasons hotel on october 11, 2019 in beverly hills, california photo by amy sussmanfilmmagic
(Image credit: Amy Sussman)
  • Mariah Carey opened up about her now-infamous 2008 appearance on the Ellen DeGeneres Show, during which DeGeneres served her champagne in an effort to force her to reveal her pregnancy. 
  • Carey miscarried shortly after the interview.
  • Speaking to Vulture, Carey reflected, "I was extremely uncomfortable with that moment is all I can say. And I really have had a hard time grappling with the aftermath." 

Mariah Carey has opened up about her appearance on the Ellen DeGeneres Show in 2008, during which DeGeneres attempted to force her to announce her pregnancy by giving her champagne. Shortly after the interview, Carey miscarried. The clip reemerged on Twitter earlier this year, amid allegations of a toxic atmosphere behind the scenes of the show which have led to the launch of an internal investigation. Speaking to Vulture, Carey said, "I was extremely uncomfortable with that moment is all I can say. And I really have had a hard time grappling with the aftermath."

"I wasn’t ready to tell anyone because I had had a miscarriage," Carey explained. "I don’t want to throw anyone that’s already being thrown under any proverbial bus, but I didn’t enjoy that moment." She added that there was "an empathy that can be applied to those moments that I would have liked to have been implemented. But what am I supposed to do?"

mariah carey ellen degeneres pregnant interview

(Image credit: ellentube.com)

While DeGeneres has not addressed her interview with Carey, she responded to the allegations that her show fostered a toxic workplace environment in a memo to staff in July. "On day one of our show, I told everyone in our first meeting that 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show' would be a place of happiness—no one would ever raise their voice, and everyone would be treated with respect," DeGeneres said, as CNN reports. "Obviously, something changed, and I am disappointed to learn that this has not been the case. And for that, I am sorry."

RELATED STORIES

Floristry, Design, Floral design, Formal wear, Flower, Suit, Plant, Event, Interior design, Flower Arranging,

(Image credit: MICHAEL ROZMAN/WARNER BROS)
Emily Dixon
Morning Editor

Emily Dixon is a British journalist who’s contributed to CNN, Teen Vogue, Time, Glamour, The Guardian, Wonderland, The Big Roundtable, Bust, and more, on everything from mental health to fashion to political activism to feminist zine collectives. She’s also a committed Beyoncé, Kacey Musgraves, and Tracee Ellis Ross fan, an enthusiastic but terrible ballet dancer, and a proud Geordie lass.

Latest in Celebrity
Princess Madeleine of Sweden wearing a tiara featuring emeralds
Why Princess Madeleine of Sweden Can't Use Her Royal Title to Promote Her New Skincare Line
Queen Camilla has blonde hair and is wearing a dark green shirt dress
Why Queen Camilla Has Been Issued a "Strict" Warning Regarding Her Meeting With the Pope
Benny Blanco in a purple shirt with a white tank top underneath and Selena Gomez in a black dress backstage at The Tonight Show in March 2025
Selena Gomez Says She’s "Excited" to Become a Mom Someday in Joint Interview with Benny Blanco
Meghan Markle wears blue denim jeans
Meghan Markle Confirms Skinny Jeans Are Back by Finally Revealing Her Favorite Frame Denim
Carole Middleton has blonde hair and laughs while shopping with daughter Kate Middleton
How Carole Middleton Might Step Up to Support Princess Kate Following Previous Controversies
Ben Affleck in a black suit and Jennifer Lopez in a gown with a silver sequined sheer skirt and black strapless bodice with long black gloves at the premiere of This Is Me Now... A Love Story in February 2024
Ben Affleck Opens Up About His Divorce From Jennifer Lopez for the First Time
Latest in News
Selena Gomez wears a cropped blazer and matching trousers while attending the Drew Barrymore show in New York City
Selena Gomez Is the Cropped Blazer Trend's Final Boss
Princess Madeleine of Sweden wearing a tiara featuring emeralds
Why Princess Madeleine of Sweden Can't Use Her Royal Title to Promote Her New Skincare Line
Rihanna in a head scarf and multiple necklaces
Rihanna’s Jamaica Manicure Will Unite the Caribbean
Queen Camilla has blonde hair and is wearing a dark green shirt dress
Why Queen Camilla Has Been Issued a "Strict" Warning Regarding Her Meeting With the Pope
Benny Blanco in a purple shirt with a white tank top underneath and Selena Gomez in a black dress backstage at The Tonight Show in March 2025
Selena Gomez Says She’s "Excited" to Become a Mom Someday in Joint Interview with Benny Blanco
Bella Hadid leaves her hotel wearing a cardigan with the studded bag trend and straight-leg jeans
Bella Hadid Carries the Studded Bag Trend Into the Spotlight With a Boho-Chic Valentino Tote