Mariah Carey Wins Dismissal of Brother's $20 Million Defamation Suit
Justice Leslie A. Stroth ruled that Morgan Carey failed to prove actual malice in his lawsuit over the singer's 2020 memoir.
By Felo News Desk · Published
On Monday, a New York State Supreme Court judge dismissed the $20 million defamation lawsuit filed by Morgan Carey against his sister, pop star Mariah Carey, over statements in her 2020 memoir The Meaning of Mariah Carey.
What happened
Morgan Carey filed the suit on May 28, 2021, alleging that the memoir portrayed him as violent, accused him of trafficking cocaine, and described him as having childhood behavioral problems. He claimed the allegations damaged his reputation and sought damages exceeding $20 million. The court’s ruling, issued on October 20, 2026, found that Carey had not demonstrated the "actual malice" required under New York’s anti‑SLAPP law.
What the reports add
Rolling Stone reported that Justice Leslie A. Stroth concluded Morgan could not establish actual malice merely by pointing to a deteriorated sibling relationship. The Hollywood Reporter added that the judge specifically noted the plaintiff had not provided proof that Mariah made the statements knowing they were false or with reckless disregard for the truth.
What was said
Justice Stroth wrote, "Plaintiff has not sufficiently pleaded actual malice on the part of [Mariah]" and further explained that the plaintiff "fails to provide any proof that [Mariah] made such statements with knowledge of their falsity or with reckless disregard of their falsity" (Rolling Stone; Hollywood Reporter).
John Rosenberg, Mariah Carey’s attorney, told Rolling Stone that the singer is "gratified that the court recognized that her memoir addresses significant issues of public interest and dismissed her brother’s defamation claim" (Hollywood Reporter).
How it came about
The lawsuit stemmed from passages in Carey’s memoir that referenced their late mother and alleged family dynamics. The case has run for five years, overlapping with Carey’s recent promotional activities, including the UK Christmas tour announced in September 2026 (Felo News). The dismissal clears the way for Carey to focus on upcoming performances without the cloud of ongoing litigation.
Key facts
- Morgan Carey filed a $20 million defamation lawsuit on May 28, 2021. (hollywoodreporter.com)
- Justice Leslie A. Stroth dismissed the suit on October 20, 2026, finding no actual malice. (rollingstone.com)
- Mariah Carey’s lawyer John Rosenberg said the singer is gratified by the ruling. (hollywoodreporter.com)
