Brandy and Monica Reveal the Surprising Inspiration Behind Their Hit Duet 'The Boy Is Mine'

Published: June 27, 2025

In a recent appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Brandy and Monica opened up about the inspiration behind their iconic 1998 duet, "The Boy Is Mine". And the surprising source of inspiration? An episode of The Jerry Springer Show!

Brandy revealed that she was a huge fan of the tabloid talk show and got the idea for the song from one of the episodes. "I was like, 'Oh my god, song idea, let's do this,'" she told Jimmy Fallon.

After getting the inspiration, Brandy knew she wanted Monica to join her on the song. "I was always a fan of hers and I wanted to work with her, so I called her up and asked her to be a part of the song, and she said yes, and here we are," she explained.

Monica added that she initially thought people would believe they were fighting because of the song's nature, but Brandy chimed in to say, "That was the point."

The track went on to achieve massive success, spending 13 weeks at the top of the Billboard charts and winning a Grammy. Despite feuding after the release of the song, the two seemingly put it all to rest in 2020 when they came together for a Verzuz battle.

They have since reconnected and collaborated on a remix of the hit track with Ariana Grande. "It was nothing short of a blessing for Brandy and I not only to reconnect, but to reconnect and do something as special as this innovative version of 'The Boy Is Mine,'" Monica told PEOPLE in January.

Brandy and Monica are set to close out 2025 with the Boy Is Mine Tour, which will kick off in Cincinnati on October 16 and wrap on December 7 in Houston. They will be joined on the road by Kelly Rowland, Muni Long, and 2025 American Idol champ Jamal Roberts.

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