By: Alice Robert

‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’ co-writer challenges Mariah Carey’s story of when she wrote it

by Alice Robert

“All I Want For Christmas Is You” Co-Writer Disputes Mariah Carey’s Story About Its Creation

The cowriter and coproducer on Mariah Carey’s much-loved Xmas song “All I Want For Christmas Is You” is refuting Carey’s claim that she wrote the song as a kid. For context, Walter Afanasieff collaborated with Carey on her first six studio albums and has won two Grammys: one in 1999 for Record Of The Year (for producing Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On”), and in 2000 he won Producer Of The Year, Non-Classical. Anyway, recently Afanasieff went on the Hot Takes & Deep Dives With Jess Rothschild podcast, where he claimed that Carey had invented an “alternate story” around how “All I Want For Christmas Is You” came about.

Darlene Love’s Last Holiday Shows of Year Sell Out After Mariah Carey Calls Her ‘Queen of Christmas’

Darlene Love is anything but “All Alone on Christmas” this year. In fact, she’s surrounded by fans — thanks in part to Mariah Carey!

Months after Carey was blocked from an attempt to trademark the “Queen of Christmas” title following opposition from Love and fellow notable holiday musician Elizabeth Chan, the “All I Want for Christmas Is You” hitmaker praised Love in an Instagram video shared earlier this month.

In the clip, Carey, 52, reflected on recording a cover of Love’s “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” for her iconic 1994 Merry Christmas album, one of the best-selling holiday music collections of all time.

Afanasieff’s interview,

In contrast to Afanasieff’s interview, Carey doesn’t claim to be an expert at playing the piano. It would also be unfair to discredit her musical ability and knowledge; after all, she grew up with a mother who was a professional opera singer. Music has been a part of her entire life. Carey’s been co-producing her own music since before she was signed to Columbia records, before she had the help of the music industry. Lastly, Afanasieff forgets the most important piece of the puzzle: Mariah Carey is and has always been twelve years old; therefore, she was a little girl when she wrote the song. A Christmas miracle for the Queen of Christmas!