The New Era Of Elusive Romance: Inside Mariah Carey’s Dating Life After Bryan Tanaka And The Anderson .Paak Rumors

The "Elusive Chanteuse" is back in the headlines, but this time, the buzz isn't just about her record-breaking music. As of late 2025, the pop icon's romantic life has taken a dramatic new turn following the end of her seven-year relationship with long-time boyfriend Bryan Tanaka, immediately sparking intense speculation about a new, high-profile romance with a fellow music star. This article dives deep into the confirmed split, the reasons behind the breakup, and the compelling evidence suggesting a new relationship is already blossoming in the studio.

The latest updates, coming just after the September 2025 release of her 16th studio album, *Here for It All*, paint a picture of a newly single, creatively rejuvenated Mariah Carey who is embracing a fresh chapter. The separation from her former dancer and creative director was an amicable but significant event, quickly followed by public sightings and professional collaborations that have set the internet ablaze with rumors of a new, unexpected celebrity coupling.

The Men of the Moment: Bryan Tanaka and Anderson .Paak

To understand the current state of Mariah Carey’s love life, one must first look at the man who was by her side for seven years and the man who is now rumored to have captured her attention. This section provides a look at the two key figures in her recent romantic timeline.

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Bryan Tanaka: Biography and The Split’s True Reason

• Full Name: Bryan Tanaka
• Born: April 11, 1983, in Lacey, Washington, U.S.
• Age: 42 (as of December 2025)
• Occupation: Dancer, Choreographer, Creative Director
• Relationship with Mariah: They began dating in 2016 following her split from James Packer and confirmed their separation in December 2023.
• Split Reason: According to multiple sources, the break-up was primarily due to differing life goals. Tanaka, who is younger than Carey, reportedly wanted to settle down and start a family, while Carey, a mother of twins (Moroccan and Monroe), was not interested in having more children. The 13-year age gap contributed to their divergent paths.
• Role in Career: Tanaka was not only her romantic partner but also her creative director and a long-time backup dancer, a professional relationship that began years before they started dating.

Anderson .Paak: Biography and Current Rumors

• Full Name: Brandon Paak Anderson
• Born: February 8, 1986, in Oxnard, California, U.S.
• Age: 39 (as of December 2025)
• Occupation: Rapper, Singer-songwriter, Producer, and Drummer
• Musical Collaborations: He is one half of the R&B superduo Silk Sonic with Bruno Mars, and a prominent solo artist.
• Net Worth: Estimated to be around $6 million.
• Mariah Romance Rumors: Speculation began in late 2024 and intensified in 2025 after they were spotted holding hands and collaborating on her new album, *Here for It All*.
• Relationship Status (Rumored): Sources close to the couple have claimed they are "full on dating" and that their relationship "quickly turned romantic" while working on music together. Mariah has publicly played coy about the status, referring to him as a "friend" but confirming their professional collaboration.

The Seven-Year Itch: Why Mariah and Bryan Tanaka Called It Quits

The end of the Mariah Carey and Bryan Tanaka relationship in December 2023 came as a surprise to many fans who had watched the couple's relationship evolve over the years. They had been a fixture on the red carpet and in her professional life since 2016, following her highly publicized, albeit brief, engagement to Australian billionaire James Packer.

The mutual and "amicable separation" was confirmed by Tanaka in a public statement, but insiders were quick to point to a fundamental difference in their future visions. This is a classic relationship challenge, often exacerbated by a significant age difference.

Mariah, a mother to twins Moroccan and Monroe from her marriage to Nick Cannon, felt her family was complete. At 56 (as of 2025), the prospect of starting over with an infant was reportedly not on her agenda. Conversely, Bryan Tanaka, 42, was eager to experience fatherhood and build a family of his own.

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The desire for children became a decisive factor that neither could compromise on, leading to the difficult decision to part ways. Their commitment to their respective life goals ultimately outweighed their commitment to the seven-year romance. The split was a mutual recognition that their paths were no longer aligned, despite the deep affection they shared.

The Studio Spark: Decoding the Anderson .Paak Romance Rumors

The "Mariah Carey and boyfriend" narrative quickly shifted in late 2024 and throughout 2025 with the emergence of Anderson .Paak. The two musicians, both highly respected in their respective fields, were brought together to collaborate on Mariah’s highly anticipated 16th studio album, *Here for It All*.

The professional collaboration quickly spilled over into personal territory. The first major public signal was a sighting of the pair holding hands, sparking the initial rumors of a budding romance. While Mariah has a history of keeping her private life private, her playful ambiguity about the situation only fueled the fire.

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Sources have been much less coy, stating unequivocally that the two are "full on dating." This relationship is particularly intriguing because it represents a different dynamic for Mariah. Anderson .Paak is a celebrated, multi-talented artist with a distinctive, soulful, and hip-hop-influenced style, suggesting a strong creative and artistic connection at the heart of their romance. This partnership is seen by many as a powerful musical union, reminiscent of the energy that surrounded her earlier collaborations.

The coupling has been a major talking point in the music industry, with many fans eager to see how this creative chemistry translates into a long-term personal relationship. The collaboration on *Here for It All* is already a reality, and the possibility of a lasting romantic connection between the two music titans is the current fascination of the celebrity news cycle.

A History of High-Profile Romances: Mariah Carey’s Dating Timeline

Mariah Carey’s journey to finding lasting love has been a storied one, filled with high-profile relationships that have frequently captured the public imagination. Her romantic history provides essential context for her current choices and is a testament to her enduring appeal.

• Tommy Mottola (1990–1997): Her first marriage was to music executive Tommy Mottola. They married in 1993 and divorced in 1998, a relationship Mariah has described as controlling.
• Derek Jeter (1997): Following her separation from Mottola, she had a brief but significant romance with New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter.
• Luis Miguel (1998–2001): She dated the famous Mexican singer Luis Miguel for three years, a relationship that was a major international media event.
• Nick Cannon (2008–2014): Her second marriage was to actor and comedian Nick Cannon. They married quickly and had twins, Moroccan and Monroe, before separating in 2014 and finalizing their divorce in 2016. They maintain an amicable co-parenting relationship.
• James Packer (2015–2016): Mariah was engaged to Australian billionaire James Packer, a relationship that ended abruptly before they could marry. This breakup led directly to her romance with Bryan Tanaka.
• Bryan Tanaka (2016–2023): Her longest post-divorce relationship, ending due to differing views on starting a family.

Each relationship has shaped her personal life and, often, her music, leading her to the current crossroads. The potential romance with Anderson .Paak, a fellow artist, suggests a desire for a partnership built on shared creative passion and a mutual understanding of the demands of the music industry.

What’s Next for Mariah’s Love Life?

As of late 2025, the narrative surrounding "Mariah Carey and boyfriend" is less about a confirmed couple and more about a thrilling, new possibility. The chapter with Bryan Tanaka is definitively closed, allowing both to pursue their respective life goals—Tanaka his desire for a family, and Carey her focus on her children, her newly released album *Here for It All*, and her burgeoning connection with Anderson .Paak.

The strong rumors and insider confirmations about her and Anderson .Paak being "full on dating" indicate that a new, exciting celebrity pairing is likely underway. Fans are eagerly awaiting an official confirmation, perhaps on a future red carpet or in a new music video. Regardless of the official title, Mariah Carey continues to prove that her love life, much like her career, remains a fascinating and highly relevant topic, with the promise of more unforgettable moments to come.