Darlene Love Says There Is 'Plenty of Space' for Her and Mariah Carey in Christmas Music, Teases Collab Is 'Coming Next' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Darlene Love in June 2024; Mariah Carey in February 2024.Photo:Gary Gershoff/WireImage; Leon Bennett/Getty

Darlene Love, Mariah Carey

Gary Gershoff/WireImage; Leon Bennett/Getty

Darlene Lovewants to put any notion of competition between her andMariah Careyin the world of Christmas music to rest.

“The thing came up with Mariah Carey and I had to deal with that. I said, ‘Listen, I ain’t never thought about being the Queen of Christmas. I think everybody is a Queen of Christmas. Everybody got one,'” Love says. “So we went all through that with the fans and it got so crazy, and it wasn’t me and Mariah Carey, it was our fans. I say, ‘Okay, hold on you guys. Wait a minute. I might make one comment about it, but that’s what I always do. Just one comment and I’m done. This is what I feel. I feel that you guys should not put me in a box. You should let everybody enjoy me.’ "

Darlene Love performs at Cousin Brucie Presents: Darlene Love at PNC Bank Arts Center on September 26, 2024 in Holmdel, New Jersey.

In fact, Love shares that Carey gave her kudos directly.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

The situation between the two artists began when Carey attempted to trademark the “Queen of Christmas” title in 2022, leaving fellow holiday crooners Elizabeth Chan and Love to speak out, with the former even filing legal action against Carey. Love asked in aFacebook postat the time, “Is it true that Mariah Carey trademarked ‘Queen of Christmas’? What does that mean, that I can’t use that title?”

Ultimately, when Carey gave Love her flowers on social media, the star seemed to change her tune. “Thank you, Mariah Carey! This just warmed my heart!” Love wrote in response to Carey’s comment of kudos onFacebookat the time. “Love you very much and I apologize if my words towards you were a bit harsh. I’ve always LOVED & ADORED you!! I’m HONORED to share the Queen of Christmas title with you and all the other talented performers on earth!

Mariah Carey performing in California in November 2024.Kevin Mazur/Getty

HIGHLAND, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 06: (Exclusive Coverage) Mariah Carey performs onstage during Mariah Carey’s Christmas Time Tour Kick Off at Yaamava’ Resort & Casino at San Manuel on November 06, 2024 in Highland, California.

Kevin Mazur/Getty

Love’s rep later reiterated the singer’s desire to hop on the track together and clear the air, telling PEOPLE in 2023, “That’s her wishlist for 2023, to invite Mariah to rerecord the song with her in the studio.” Love’s rep further noting that the star has always “loved” Carey but “didn’t understand” her attempt to trademark the “Queen of Christmas” title.

Now, Love is teasing to PEOPLE once again that the collaboration may still come to fruition.

“It was so funny. Last year,Chercalls me out of the blue and we re-recorded it together,” she says, adding, “That really threw me … I went, ‘Well, I guess Mariah Carey is coming next.’ I think those kind of things… Somebody’s thinking about it somewhere. Good things can come around — any day, any time now.”

source: people.com