Singer Mariah Carey sparked breakup rumors after being spotted without her boyfriend of 7 years, Bryan Tanaka, during her annual Christmas Aspen getaway. Sources claim the couple have called it quits.
Mariah Enjoys Holiday Solo Amid Split Speculation
Mariah Carey, known as the “Queen of Christmas” for her iconic hit “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” takes a lavish Aspen vacation each year to celebrate the holidays. This year, however, the pop diva was noticeably solo during her trip.
The 53-year-old posted festive photos on Instagram decked out in a red gown, tutu skirt, and tiara, but boyfriend Bryan Tanaka was nowhere to be seen. Carey also went Christmas shopping by herself, further fueling rumors of a breakup.
A source told E! News, “Mariah and Bryan have been rocky for months and have barely seen each other.” The insider added their separate holiday plans “made the split clear,” though the couple have yet to officially confirm.
A Look Back at Carey and Tanaka’s Up-and-Down Romance
Carey met choreographer and dancer Tanaka over a decade ago when he began working as a backup dancer on her 2006 Adventures of Mimi Tour.
In 2016, Tanaka was promoted to Carey’s lead dancer. That same year, the singer split from her billionaire ex-fiancé James Packer after the Australian casino mogul allegedly had violent outbursts that frightened Carey.
| Year | Relationship Event |
|---|---|
| 2016 | Carey breaks off engagement from James Packer, grows closer to Bryan Tanaka |
| 2017 | Carey and Tanaka go public with their romance |
| 2018 | The couple temporarily split for five months |
| 2021 | Carey faces lawsuit alleging affair with Tanaka led to split from Packer |
| 2023 | Breakup reports emerge as Carey and Tanaka spend holidays apart |
Shortly after, Tanaka stepped in to comfort a heartbroken Carey, and before long, their professional friendship blossomed into romance.
In 2017, the pair went public with their relationship, displaying plenty of PDA. But after less than a year together, Tanaka and Carey briefly split for five months in 2018 when she reunited with ex-boyfriend Robert “Big Pat” Ackroyd.
By summer 2018 though, Carey and backup dancer were back on, attending a Hamptons fundraiser as a couple. They seemed to be going strong for the past four years.
Trouble struck again last year when Packer sued Carey for $6 million over claims her affair with Tanaka preceded the end of their engagement. Carey’s team slammed the “frivolous” lawsuit, which was settled out of court this past January.
Now, Carey’s Aspen holiday minus Tanaka signals the famous diva may be single this cuffing season.
What Led to the Reported Split?
Behind closed doors, Carey’s closest confidantes hadn’t seen her this happy in years. So why walk away now?
While some fans initially rooted for Carey and Tanaka’s romance given their 15-year age gap, others speculate the strained publicity from Packer’s lawsuit added pressure that eventually cracked the relationship.
There’s also talk of cheating allegations after Tanaka was spotted cozying up to other women in public on multiple occasions over the past year.
An insider told Daily Mail, “Mariah never fully trusted Bryan’s intentions or fidelity to her.” Though the choreographer showered Carey with lavish gifts like a $250,000 gray Porsche, the source said, “it seems she ultimately feels he’s just not the one for her.”
Neither Carey nor Tanaka have shared an official breakup statement amid the swirling speculation.
What Happens Next?
As a stunningly successful singer with 19 chart-topping hits, Carey has weathered her share of romantic ups and downs in the spotlight.
While she may be disappointed that her long-term relationship with Tanaka dissolved, Carey has a track record of bouncing back stronger. In fact, some fans think she secretly recorded an emotional breakup ballad weeks ago that could be her next hit single.
Others speculate the pop icon might rekindle an old flame now that she and Tanaka have apparently moved on. Carey remains friendly with several former boyfriends like singer Luis Miguel and baseball star Derek Jeter.
After nearly a decade off the market, Carey’s newly minted single status will surely attract high-profile suitors hoping to date one of music’s biggest superstars. But the self-proclaimed “diva” tends to surprise fans with unexpected moves after heartbreak.
At 53 with so much talent and star power, Mariah Carey’s next chapter remains unwritten. Whether enjoying her riches alone or finding companionship with someone new, one thing stays certain — the queen of Christmas always comes out shining.
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