Mariah Carey, the legendary five-time Grammy winner known for her incredible vocal range and holiday classics, has found love again after a challenging period in her personal life. The 55-year-old songstress is now officially dating Anderson .Paak, the 39-year-old Grammy-winning artist and member of the duo Silk Sonic. Their relationship has been developing quietly for several months, marking a significant new chapter for Carey following her split from longtime partner Bryan Tanaka in December 2023.
The romance between these two musical powerhouses began in an unexpected way – through their professional collaboration in the recording studio. What started as a working relationship quickly blossomed into something more personal and meaningful. For Carey, who has been notably private about her romantic life in recent years, this new relationship represents her first serious romantic interest in quite some time.
The pairing has captured public attention not only because of their individual star power but also due to their shared passion for music and similar life experiences as parents. Both artists bring their own unique talents to the relationship – Carey with her legendary status as one of the best-selling music artists of all time, and .Paak with his innovative approach to hip-hop, R&B, and soul music. Their 16-year age difference hasn’t seemed to be a barrier, with sources close to the couple describing their connection as genuine and strong.
From Professional Collaboration to Personal Connection
The love story between Mariah Carey and Anderson .Paak began in the most natural way possible for two musicians – in the recording studio. The pair first met while working together on new music during the summer of 2024 with .Paak has long been an admirer of Carey’s work. What started as a professional collaboration quickly evolved into something more personal as they spent time together creating music.
Sources close to the couple reveal that their relationship “started in the studio as they were working on new music together and it quickly turned romantic”. .Paak, whose real name is Brandon Paak Anderson, reportedly “won her over quickly” with his charming personality and musical talent. For Carey, who wasn’t initially looking for a romantic relationship.Paak’s genuine admiration and sweet gestures were particularly meaningful.
The Grammy-winning artist is described as being “very smitten” with Carey, while she appreciates how “musically inclined” he is and finds him “very sweet”. Their shared passion for music has created a strong foundation for their relationship, with one insider noting that “it’s nice for Mariah to be around someone very talented in the music industry”.
Public Appearances and Relationship Timeline
The couple’s relationship timeline reveals a gradual progression from private studio sessions to public appearances. They were first spotted together at a Halloween party in November 2024 where .Paak posted a photo with Carey while dressed as Daft Punk. This initial public sighting sparked curiosity among fans, though the nature of their relationship wasn’t immediately clear.
Their romance became more apparent when they were seen together in Aspen, Colorado, in December 2024, with Anderson notably having his arm around Mariah’s waist and displaying gentlemanly behavior by holding doors open for her. However, it was their March 2025 appearance that truly confirmed their relationship status to the public.
On March 23, 2025, the couple was photographed holding hands while leaving Bird Street Café in Los Angeles, effectively confirming the dating rumors that had been circulating. This public display of affection marked a significant moment, as Carey has historically been quite private about her personal relationships.
Perhaps most tellingly, .Paak accompanied Carey to the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards, where he was seated next to her and her twins, Moroccan and Monroe, when she received the Icon Award. This family-inclusive appearance suggested the serious nature of their relationship and .Paak’s integration into Carey’s personal life.
Overcoming Past Heartbreak
Carey’s new relationship with .Paak comes after a difficult period following her split from Bryan Tanaka in December 2023. The breakup ended a seven-year relationship that had been significant in Carey’s life. The separation was attributed to fundamental differences in life goals, particularly regarding starting a family.
Tanaka, who was 14 years younger than Carey, expressed a desire to have children and “start having his own life,” while Carey, who already has 13-year-old twins with ex-husband Nick Cannon, wasn’t interested in expanding her family further. The age gap and differing priorities ultimately proved insurmountable, despite their long history together dating back to 2006 when Tanaka served as a backup dancer on Carey’s Adventures of Mimi Tour.
The end of that relationship was particularly challenging for Carey, who had hinted at difficulties during that period. She told People magazine that it had been “a difficult year” and that she was looking forward to Christmas because “last year wasn’t the greatest”. The breakup was made more public when Tanaka was notably absent from Carey’s 54th birthday party and her annual Aspen trip, as well as her “Merry Christmas One and All!” tour.
Shared Values and Common Ground
What makes Carey’s relationship with .Paak is particularly promising is their shared experiences and values. Both artists are parents to teenagers, which has given them common ground for bonding over “parenthood and raising kids in today’s day and age”. Carey shares 13-year-old twins Moroccan and Monroe with ex-husband Nick Cannon while .Paak is the father of sons Soul Rasheed and Shine Tariq with his estranged wife Jaylyn Chang.
Their mutual understanding of the challenges of parenting in the entertainment industry, combined with their shared passion for music, has created a strong foundation for their relationship. Sources indicate that “they have a lot in common and it’s going really well”, suggesting that their connection goes beyond just romantic attraction.
The couple’s busy schedules have meant that “their dates have been very far apart because of schedules, but it’s been going on a few months”. Despite the logistical challenges of maintaining a relationship while both pursuing demanding careers, they’ve managed to nurture their connection over several months.
Looking Forward: A New Chapter
For Mariah Carey, this relationship represents more than just a new romance – it’s a fresh start after years of being single and focusing on her career and children. Sources close to the singer reveal that she “hasn’t seriously dated anyone in years” and that .Paak is the “first person she has truly been interested in”.
The relationship appears to be having a positive impact on Carey’s professional life as well. An insider noted that “she feels challenged and reinvigorated about new projects coming up”, suggesting that her personal happiness is translating into creative energy.
As of now, neither Carey nor .Paak has officially commented on their relationship publicly, maintaining a level of privacy that’s characteristic of Carey’s approach to personal matters. However, their public appearances and the confirmation from multiple sources close to the couple indicate that this is indeed a serious and committed relationship.
The pairing of these two talented artists represents an exciting development in both of their personal lives, bringing together Carey’s legendary status in pop and R&B with .Paak’s innovative approach to contemporary music. As they continue to navigate their relationship while managing their respective careers and families, fans are eagerly watching to see how this musical love story unfolds.
