Brandy and Monica Reveal ‘The Boy Is Mine’ Was Inspired by ‘Jerry Springer’

Brandy and Monica’s reunion rollout is in full swing. The R&B legends stopped by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Wednesday night (June 25), just one day after announcing their upcoming co-headlining trek, The Boy Is Mine Tour.

“Twenty-seven years in the making,” Brandy said, describing the long-awaited joint tour. The 24-date run, named after their 1998 No. 1 hit “The Boy Is Mine,” kicks off Oct. 16 and marks their first time hitting the road together.

During their sit-down with Fallon, Brandy also revealed that the idea for their chart-topping duet was sparked by an episode of Jerry Springer. “I was a huge Jerry Springer fan. One of the topics was ‘The boy is mine,’ and I’m like, ‘Oh my God. Song idea. Let’s do this,’” she recalled.

The singers also reflected on their initial collaboration, Grammy win, and how their friendship has evolved in the decades since. “We’re a musical marriage, it is a musical marriage,” Monica said with a laugh.

Their conversation touched on a range of moments from their careers, including their 1999 Grammy win for best R&B performance by a duo or group. “I actually ran to the stage,” Brandy said, while Monica recalled following slowly behind in Chanel heels. “She left me,” Monica joked. “I was tiptoeing behind her like, ‘Girl, we just won a Grammy!’”

Fallon also brought up Ariana Grande’s recent remix of “The Boy Is Mine,” which both singers praised for its respect toward the original. “I think it was how personable that she was that made us feel so comfortable. We’ve always been very adamant about people leaving history as it is,” Monica said. “But the integrity is still there.”

When asked if fans can expect new music, the pair confirmed they’re aiming to head into the studio soon. “We’ll start working on some music immediately,” Monica said, adding that the new material could be promoted while they’re still on tour. “But no studio tour bus,” she clarified with a grin. “That’s for the rappers.”

The tease comes over a decade after their last joint release, 2012’s “It All Belongs to Me,” and nearly three decades after “The Boy Is Mine” spent 13 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The track remains one of the most iconic duets in pop and R&B history.

The two also paid tribute to their late mentor Whitney Houston, whom they say would’ve been thrilled about their reunion. “She’d be sarcastic, like, ‘Finally,’” Monica laughed as Brandy added, “But proud!”

The Boy Is Mine Tour kicks off in Oakland, California, and will hit cities including New York, Atlanta, Chicago and Los Angeles. Tickets are on sale Friday (June 28) via Ticketmaster.