The emotional anchor of the McCarthy-Carrey relationship was Evan Joseph Asher, McCarthy's son who was diagnosed with autism at age two. Throughout the late 2000s, McCarthy praised Carrey for stepping into a dedicated parental role. Carrey hired private tutors, spent hours playing games with Evan, and spoke warmly about how the boy taught him patience and vulnerability. Evan viewed Carrey as a primary father figure, and the couple often discussed how this bond anchored their household.
The aftermath of the breakup revealed painful fractures. In a 2012 interview on The Howard Stern Show, McCarthy voiced heartbreak over Carrey's complete withdrawal from Evan's life. She revealed that despite repeated attempts to set up playdates or phone calls, Carrey chose a clean break. "I've tried to ask him numerous times... I haven't seen him since the day we broke up, which is fine with me, but I tell him, 'Evan still asks,'" McCarthy stated during the broadcast.
Carrey responded with a rare public statement via his publicist: "I will always do what I believe is in the best interest of Evan's well-being. It's unfortunate that Evan's privacy is not being considered. I love Evan very much and will miss him always." The dispute highlighted the messy emotional terrain of non-custodial parental figures when relationships dissolve.