Mariah Carey Reveals Unreleased Michael Jackson Duet Is Being Blocked by His Estate

Mariah Carey has confirmed that a never-before-heard duet with Michael Jackson exists — and is ready for release — but she claims the late icon’s estate is standing in the way.

A Secret Collaboration Comes to Light

During an appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, Mariah Carey stunned fans when she revealed that she recorded a duet with Michael Jackson years ago. According to Carey, the track is not some unfinished demo lost to time.

“It’s not in the vault, it’s right there,” Carey said, stressing that the song is polished and performance-ready.

She had planned to include the collaboration on her new album, Here for It All, which dropped on September 26, 2025. However, she explained that Jackson’s estate blocked its release, citing their own upcoming projects around the King of Pop.

“There’s an issue with his estate because they’re doing something really huge for him … this is a song that would usurp the situation,” she told Cohen.

Why Fans Haven’t Heard It

Mariah Carey revealed that the duet has been sitting idle, even as she’s tried to share it more widely.

“Every time I would play it for somebody, they’d say, ‘Wow,’” she added, expressing frustration that it couldn’t be part of her latest project.

The singer even urged fans to call Jackson’s management and advocate for its release — a rare instance of one superstar publicly pressing another artist’s estate.

Possible Reasons for the Hold-Up

While Carey didn’t share every detail, several factors could explain the estate’s hesitation:

• Upcoming estate projects – Carey hinted that a major Jackson campaign is in the works. Releasing the duet now could overshadow their rollout.

• Rights and clearances – Joint ownership between estates and record labels often complicates unreleased collaborations.

• Brand protection – Jackson’s estate has historically been cautious about posthumous releases, aiming to protect his artistic legacy.

• Fan expectations – Any new Michael Jackson material attracts intense scrutiny.

A History of Connection

Mariah Carey talks to Andy Cohen about her unreleased Michael Jackson collaboration:

“I love it. I’m so upset it’s not coming out.” pic.twitter.com/5NmuzYN0JG

— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) October 2, 2025

This isn’t Carey’s first link to Michael Jackson’s legacy:

• She appeared on his 2001 charity single What More Can I Give.

• She famously covered the Jackson 5 classic I’ll Be There on MTV Unplugged in 1992, one of her earliest career-defining performances.

• Over the years, rumors of unreleased projects swirled, but Carey’s recent comments are the most direct confirmation yet.

What It Could Mean

The existence of the duet raises high expectations among fans:

• For Mariah Carey – It would mark a historic addition to her discography, bridging her career with one of her greatest influences.

• For Michael Jackson’s legacy – It would provide a fresh collaboration with a contemporary superstar, adding to the narrative of his global reach and artistic versatility.

• For fans – It could become one of the most anticipated unreleased duets in pop music history.

Carey’s direct plea — “Call his management!” — suggests she’s serious about pushing the track into public hands. Whether the estate budges remains to be seen.

Final Word

For now, the Mariah Carey–Michael Jackson duet remains trapped in limbo. But with Carey publicly confirming its existence — and expressing frustration over the estate’s refusal — the ball is now in the court of Michael Jackson’s handlers.

If released, it wouldn’t just be another archival track. It would be a once-in-a-generation pairing of two of music’s most iconic voices, promising a moment that could electrify fans around the world.

Until then, the mystery continues.