Despite Previously Being Punched By Monica, Brandy Says The Media and Fans are To Blame For Their Past Issues
Brandy and Monica’s smash hit “The Boy Is Mine” is about two girls vying for the attention of a man. But a boy isn’t the only thing the singers fought for. In real life, Monica punched Brandy before performing their 1998 duet together for the first time. Brandy and Monica’s on-again-off-again feud is well documented. But, in a new interview, Brandy says the media and fans are to blame for her past issues with Monica.
Monica once punched Brandy before a performance
Recording and promoting “The Boy Is Mine” was not a walk in the park for Brandy and Monica. There were already rumors of the two singers having beef before deciding to record a duet.
Producer Dallas Austin revealed to Vlad TV that Monica was hesitant to work with Brandy, citing their personality differences and the differences in their public personas. Brandy and Monica recorded the song separately and did not interact with each other much during the creation of their music video.
Austin said things reached a boiling point when Brandy and Monica were behind the stage preparing to perform the song at the MTV Video Music Awards.
Related: Brandy vs. Monica: Who Has the Higher Net Worth?
“The first time they actually saw each other to do it was at the American Music Awards or something,” he recalled. “Before they could even get to the stage, Monica decked her in the face.”
Brandy and Monica did not perform the song together again after the infamous punch.
Brandy says fake rumors created by the media and fans led to her issues with Monica
Brandy and Monica reunited in 2012 for a follow-up single, “It All Belongs To Me.” The song did not have the same success as “The Boy Is Mine” but Brandy and Monica did perform together several times. The two women also considered touring together. Brandy later hinted to more issues with Monica after press wrapped for “It All Belongs To Me.”
For years, Brandy threw subtle shades at Monica on stage and on social media. Brandy once told a fan “Girl bye” after being asked if she would participate in Monica’s “So Gone” challenge. Monica ignored the shade from Brandy and spoke respectfully of her in the press.
In a new interview, Brandy reflects on her past issues with Monica, According to her, their feud was a result of the media and fans instigating drama.
“For us to be put against each other like that, I didn’t think that was funny at all. The fanbases and the media really threw a wrench in that experience,” she said, as reported by The Jasmine Brand. “Sometimes you get caught up in being popular and relevant, and that makes you lose the reason why you’re connected to music. I’m scared of that. I don’t ever want to get to a point where I’m doing music for the wrong reasons.”
Monica previously explained that she is only interested in positive experiences with Brandy moving forward, highlighting that the two women have had much success together.
