Mariah Carey recently stirred up curiosity among fans with her appearance alongside Anderson .Paak in Aspen, Colorado, just three days before Christmas. The two were seen dining together on December 22, sparking speculation about their relationship.
After concluding her “Christmas Time” tour, Carey traveled to Aspen, where she and .Paak were photographed walking hand in hand at Catch Steak. The singer kept close to him during their outing, which fueled rumors of a possible romantic connection.
Mariah shines in beige as she walks hand in hand with .Paak (@mariahcarey/Instagram)
Despite appearances, a source informed Page Six that the pair is not romantically involved and are instead collaborating on new music at Carey’s Aspen studio. Nevertheless, the images of them together led fans to speculate about the nature of their bond.
Carey, now 55, turned heads in a beige ensemble featuring a matching skirt and fur coat, while .Paak, 38, opted for an all-black outfit suitable for the cold weather. They reportedly departed the restaurant in separate vehicles, further maintaining their privacy.
Both individuals are single, with .Paak having filed for divorce from his wife, Jae Lin, in January 2024. The former couple shares two children, Soul Rasheed, 14, and Shine Tariq, 7, and had been married since 2010.
Following his separation, .Paak was seen vacationing in Mexico with Dutch musician Sterre Marith Tapilatu, though the relationship appeared to end quickly.
Carey has also been single for a year since her split from dancer Bryan Tanaka, with whom she spent over seven years. Tanaka shared a heartfelt statement on Instagram, emphasizing their mutual decision to part ways while expressing gratitude for their shared memories and artistic collaborations.
Throughout 2024, Carey seemed to embrace single life. She, like .Paak, has experienced divorce, having ended her marriage to Nick Cannon in November 2016 after seven years together.
Despite their separation, Cannon continues to mention Carey in interviews, often drawing public attention. The former couple co-parents their 13-year-old twins, Moroccan and Monroe.
