Mariah Carey ended her seven-year relationship with her boyfriend Bryan Tanaka. The breakup was first reported on December 20, and Tanaka later confirmed it through an Instagram post. Speculations about the split arose a few months earlier when Tanaka was notably absent from Carey’s public appearances. Sources close to the former couple suggest that the split became inevitable after they couldn’t come to an agreement about their aspirations for a family.
Sources also added that the significant age gap between Carey and Tanaka may have contributed to the decision to part ways. The two began dating shortly after she called off her engagement to Australian billionaire James Packer.
Mariah Carey Didn’t Want To Marry Bryan Tanaka Due To Their Age Difference
The Queen of Christmas finds herself unattached this holiday season. Earlier, Mariah Carey told People that she had eagerly awaited Christmas after a year that “wasn’t the best”. When Bryan Tanaka was absent from Carey’s public appearances as well as the start of her Merry Christmas To All! tour, rumors began to spread about a potential breakup. Page Six reported on December 20 that the couple had indeed called it quits.
According to the news outlet’s sources, Tanaka expressed a desire to marry Carey, but she was not interested. The source shared, “She is not at that point in her life.” Interestingly, Carey is 14 years older than Tanaka, and the age difference may have factored into the decision. Carey is already a mother of two, Moroccan and Monroe, from her marriage to Nick Cannon.
The source noted that Tanaka wants to “have a family” and “start having his own life.” The dancer confirmed the split on his Instagram on December 26 and wrote a heartfelt note. In his note, he described the separation as “amicable”, sharing that they mutually decided to “embark on different paths”. He also thanked Carey for the “invaluable time” they spent together. He also expressed love and appreciation for Carey’s “incredible children”.
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The former couple began working together in 2006 when Tanaka joined Carey’s team as a dancer. Carey reportedly broke up with Tanaka in 2017 but later rekindled their romance.
Mariah Carey and Bryan Tanaka’s Seven-Year Relationship
Mariah Carey, 54, and Bryan Tanaka, 40, started their relationship in 2016 after spending Thanksgiving together. She had split with Packer in October, who had become jealous of Tanaka’s chemistry with the Dreamlover singer during The Sweet Sweet Fantasy tour. Carey confirmed her relationship status only in February 2017 on her Instagram.
Their relationship unfolded smoothly until recently. In 2021, Tanaka, Carey, and her children spent the Christmas holidays in Aspen. A source revealed to People at the time that Carey was genuinely happy, sharing, “He’s always doting on her and they have a great time together.” Earlier this year, Tanaka celebrated the One Sweet Day singer’s birthday and wrote on Instagram, “Happy Anniversary my Beautiful Queen.”
Mariah Carey recently broke records after her iconic Christmas song All I Want for Christmas Is You hit the number one position on the Billboard Hot 100 for the sixth time.
