People Exclusive

Mariah Carey: Gossip Is 'Complete Untruth'

By Mark Dagostino

01/08/2008 at 04:05 PM EST

Mariah Carey is fighting back against a new Internet report that suggests she is feuding with Jennifer Lopez.

The report, which has spread in the blogsphere Tuesday, includes a quote – supposedly from Carey – saying that she would rather appear on stage with a certain animal than ever share a stage with Lopez. The story, Carey tells PEOPLE. is "a complete untruth."

Carey insists that the quote did not, and would not, come from her.

"This is just some Internet gossip and it's pathetic that people actually entertain the thought that this could be real," Carey adds. "This is another sad example of two strong women being pit against each other."

Carey has a new album due out in the spring, shortly after Lopez is due to give birth.