Photo Credit: mariahcarey/Instagram
Mariah Carey and Anderson .Paak continue to fuel speculation about their relationship after appearing together at the iHeartRadio Music Awards on Monday night. The rumors, which first surfaced in December 2024, gained momentum as the two musicians were spotted sitting next to each other, with Anderson offering his support when Mariah took the stage to accept the prestigious Icon Award.
During her moment in the spotlight, the 55-year-old music legend playfully asked, “Is the lighting okay? ’Cause I don’t like bad lighting. Is it okay?” As she spoke, Anderson was seen smiling warmly and standing up in admiration. His presence at her side only added to the growing speculation that their connection may be more than just professional.
Dating rumors initially began in December when the two were seen together in Aspen, Colorado. They were photographed walking hand in hand at a fast food restaurant, with Anderson holding Mariah close. However, at the time, Page Six reported that their relationship was purely professional, as they were working on new music at Mariah’s Aspen studio.
Despite claims that they are not romantically involved, their continued public appearances together suggest otherwise. TMZ previously reported that Anderson and Mariah had been spotted on “handsy dinner outings” during the holidays. Their latest joint appearance at the awards show has only fueled further speculation, with fans taking to social media to share their thoughts. One fan commented, “Good for her. If they like it, I love it.” Another joked about Mariah’s ex-husband, Nick Cannon, saying, “I know Nick somewhere sliding down a wall, with his chest caved in like a Capri Sun.”
Both Mariah and Anderson are currently single. Anderson filed for divorce from his wife, Jae Lin, in January 2024 after 14 years of marriage, while Mariah ended her seven-year relationship with dancer Bryan Tanaka in 2022. Mariah, who was previously married to Nick Cannon, has spoken about her dating preferences, telling Cosmopolitan, “I
haven’t had that many, but there has been a variety pack. I’ve only been with five people in my life, so I’m kind of a prude honestly, compared to most others in the field.”
While sources insist that Mariah and Anderson are simply collaborators, their ongoing appearances together leave room for speculation. Whether they are romantically involved or just close friends remains to be seen.