Love Lives
Does Mariah Carey Have a Boyfriend? Inside Her Current Love Life & Dating History
Mariah Carey is one of music’s most beloved divas. Over the years, the “Songbird Supreme” has dazzled us with hit after hit.
As with most artists, many of Carey’s songs are about matters of the heart. The “We Belong Together” singer, who will be receiving the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at the 2025 VMAs, has had many loves (and two husbands), but does she have a boyfriend at the moment?
Right now, it’s unclear what Carey’s relationship status is. There were rumors that Carey and singer Anderson .Paak were dating after they were seen holding hands, but they haven’t confirmed whether or not they’re an item. Back in May 2024, Paak admitted to having a “huge crush” on the singer in the past. “We’re working on some music on her new album,” Paak said on the Track Star* social media series.
As the VMAs celebrate Carey’s incredible career (so far) and the Christmas season is upon us (she’s defrosting), let’s take a look back at the singer’s dating history.
Tommy Mottola
In 1991, Carey began dating Sony music executive Tommy Mottola, who was 20 years older than her. They married in 1993 when Carey was 23 years old. They divorced in 1998.
“Sometimes I feel angry about that time, but I think I’ve made peace with it — in any case, I vowed I’d stop talking about it,” Carey told Harper’s Bazaar UK about that period in her life.
Derek Jeter
After her divorce from Mottola, Carey began dating New York Yankees star Derek Jeter. They were linked from 1997 to 1998. Carey has confirmed that songs “My All” and “The Roof” are about their brief fling.
Luis Miguel
The “Touch My Body” singer dated the Mexican artist from 1998 to 2001. In her memoir, Carey admitted why her relationship with Miguel ended. “I tried my best to support him emotionally, but I was going through my own sh*t and it got to a point where I could no longer deal with it. We were not helping each other heal,” she wrote.
Nick Cannon
After briefly dating model Christian Monzon, Carey began her relationship with Cannon. They started dating in April 2008 after he was cast in her “Bye Bye” music video. They married on April 20, 2008, in a surprise wedding. Following a miscarriage, Carey and Cannon welcomed twins, Monroe and Moroccan, on April 30, 2011.
Carey and Cannon split in 2014, and their divorce was finalized in 2016. Carey recently opened up about coparenting with Cannon. “They spend time with him, and they have a good time; they spend time with me, and they have a good time,” she told Harper’s Bazaar UK. “I want to make sure I’m always fair about the situation because it’s tough to grow up with divorced parents.”
James Packer
In 2015, Carey began dating Packer, an Australian billionaire, after her divorce from Cannon. They got engaged on January 21, 2016. Just months later, they called off their engagement. She told The Guardian in 2020, “We didn’t have a physical relationship, to be honest with you.”
Bryan Tanaka
The same year she split from Packer, Carey started a relationship with Tanaka, a choreographer. They split in December 2023 after seven years of dating.
