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Mariah Carey has a history of feuding with other celebrities. Of course, the entertainment industry is teeming with such famous conflicts. But they can take on a whole new dimension when the two parties are equally beloved. To that end, many fans have wondered what the relationship is like between Carey and another famous singer, Beyoncé. So are they friends?

Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, and Beyoncé at Fashion Rocks in 2008
Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, and Beyoncé at Fashion Rocks in 2008 | Larry Busacca/WireImage

How old is Beyoncé?

To begin understanding the dynamic between Beyoncé and Carey, it makes sense to start with the former’s age. The former Destiny’s Child singer was born on Sept. 4, 1981. By the time Carey released her self-titled debut album, Beyoncé was nearly nine years old. With that in mind, it’s no wonder Carey wound up being a major inspiration for the future superstar.

While Beyoncé was on the rise in the industry, Carey was already racking up millions of record sales. To put their careers in a greater context, Destiny’s Child released its first studio album in 1997. That very same year, Carey achieved what many fans consider her creative apex with the release of Butterfly. That album features number-one singles “Honey” and “My All.”

Are Mariah Carey and Beyoncé friends in real life?

Since Destiny’s Child’s success and certainly that of her solo career, Beyoncé has emerged as more than just an admirer of Carey. She has become one of her closest peers in the industry. With regards to sales and influence, the two women are often mentioned around each other. So fans of both will be relieved to learn they are indeed friends in real life.

While it’s not clear just how close Beyoncé and Carey are, they have taken the time out over the years to show each other love and respect. According to Vanity Fair, even their children are pals. So while rumors and speculation might want to pit the two singers against each other, there’s little evidence of any bad blood between Carey and Beyoncé.

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Which singer has sold more albums, Mariah Carey or Beyoncé?

Perhaps if fans are lucky, Beyoncé and Carey might even work together in the recording studio someday. However, fans curious about how their album sales match up have a clear answer. At least for now, Carey has firmly sold more units worldwide, with numerous sources putting her record-breaking career at more than 200 million albums. Only a few other artists — such as Madonna and Rihanna — come close to that number.

As for Beyoncé, her numbers currently sit at 118 million units worldwide, according to CBS News. However, that only counts her solo career, which launched in 2003. Including her work with Destiny’s Child, then the singer has another 60 million album sales to her name, according to NME. Since Carey has a significant lead, fans of both singers should be pleased with their respective successes.

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