THE GRAMMY Award winner dated choreographer Bryan Tanaka for seven years.
Mariah Carey’s ex-boyfriend has served as a backup dancer for Madonna, Usher, and Lady Gaga.
Who is Mariah Carey dating?
It’s believed Mariah Carey and her creative director Bryan Tanaka started dating in October 2016.
At the time of the speculation, the couple sparked romance rumors when they were spotted together during a night out at Nobu in Malibu, California.
In February 2017, Mariah confirmed her relationship with the choreographer and backup dancer.
During Valentine’s Day of that year, she and Bryan hard-launched their romance by posting a picture of them kissing on Instagram.
“I just don’t feel comfortable talking about my personal life. Me and my boyfriend don’t want to do that,” the singer said to AP News.
By April 2017, Mariah and Bryan called it quits and ended their relationship.
An insider told People: “Mariah ended it, everyone hoped that she would. She has better things to focus on.”
“Mariah is happy. She is focusing on her kids and new music.”
“Bryan was a good distraction after she split from James.”
“This is a good time for her to be single and focus on herself.”
However, they reconciled by May of that same year.
In November 2023, it was speculated Mariah and Bryan went their separate ways again.
The rumors began to circulate when fans noticed the choreographer was not present at any of the pop superstar’s 2023 Merry Christmas One and All! tour performances.
In December 2023, a source confirmed the split to PageSix saying that they broke up because Brian “wants to have a family. That’s not where she is at.”
On December 26, Brian shared a message on Instagram, praising Mariah for her “dedication to her family and her commitment to her craft,” which inspired him during their time together.
He continued: “I want to express my love and appreciation for Mariah and her incredible children, whose warmth and kindness have enriched my life in ways words cannot capture.”
Mariah has two children with her ex-husband Nick Cannon. Bryan has no children of his own.
The couple was together, on and off, for seven years.
How did Mariah meet Bryan Tanaka?
In 2006, Mariah and Bryan first met when the latter began working for the former’s Adventures of Mimi tour.
Mariah is one of many performers Bryan has worked with.
He’s worked as a choreographer and backup dancer for Beyoncé, Chris Brown, Rihanna, Madonna, Lady Gaga, and Usher.
Although they became acquainted with one another, they didn’t start dating until the singer ended things with James Packer.
“Something connected with us back in the day and there was just a mutual admiration,” Bryan recalled to E! News.
“I’ve always had a thing for Mariah. I love her so much. We’ve been friends for a long time.
“She saw something in me that I actually didn’t recognize at first, from that it was over.
“It was set in history that we were gonna be connected some way, somehow.”
Mariah commented on their reconnection: “It’s really nice, especially when you’ve worked with somebody in the past, and then you get to work with them again, and just see how everybody’s grown creatively and all that.”
When did Mariah call off her engagement to James Packer?
On October 27, 2016, it was announced Mariah and her then-fiancé James Packer called off their engagement.
Regarding their split, James shared with The Australian: “She was kind, exciting, and fun.
“Mariah is a woman of substance. But it was a mistake for her and a mistake for me. I was at a low point in my personal life.
An insider further explained to the abovementioned outlet: “James is definitely an oddball, but a brilliant great guy.
“Mariah has had mental breakdowns in the past. She hasn’t been acting very mentally stable lately.
“They split because she has issues. They definitely won’t be getting back together now.”
Meanwhile, another source told the same publication: “James has not been in a mentally healthy place and has not been present for Mariah or her family.
“His behavior was not a desirable situation for Mariah so she unfortunately had to leave him.”
