Songbird Mariah Carey — who married actor-and-rapper Nick Cannon in 2008 — has spoken out about her personal struggle with emotional abuse and hinted that ex-husband Tommy Mottola was responsible for her ordeal.

In 1993, Mariah, now 40, wed the much older music executive who signed her to the music label CBS Records. They separated three years later and divorced in 1998. Mottola has since married Latin pop singer Talia.

She told CNN’s Larry King Live Wednesday: “Abuse has several categories. Emotionally, mentally, in other ways. I just think you get into a situation and you feel locked in. If your situation is similar to one of the situations I’ve been in, which I won’t harp on. For me, to really get out, it was difficult because there was a connection that was not only a marriage but a business thing where the person was in control of my life.”

“You know Rihanna. What did you make of that story,” Larry asked her.

“You know, I was very sequestered, as you know, when I first started out and if I were just allowed to be young and with a young boyfriend who’s also a star and you know, you’re working and you’re both… I don’t know what goes on,” Mariah said. “You know what I mean? I wasn’t really allowed out of the house, so I can’t imagine what she went through.”