How Mariah Escaped Sony

Forget Jack Welch. The best still unwritten business book may come from the pen of Mariah Carey. After her 1998 divorce from Sony Music boss Tommy Mottola, Carey–the top-selling female singer of all time, with 140 million units sold worldwide–made it clear she wanted out of her contract. She got her wish in April, with an unlikely assist from Jennifer Lopez. In January, a snippet of music Carey had licensed for herself mysteriously appeared on Lopez’s J. Lo album, also released by Sony. In the world of music divas, such double dealing can feel like a slap in the face. Carey shrewdly used the Lopez fracas to turn the heat up on Sony and speed her exit. Both sides insist that it is “not true” that the dispute caused Carey’s release, but it certainly didn’t hurt. Despite owing Sony another album, Carey was granted her freedom–and promptly signed a megadeal with competitor Virgin.

–Reported by Jess Cagle/Los Angeles