After seven years of dating, Mariah Carey, the iconic singer and songwriter, has reportedly ended her relationship with Bryan Tanaka. The couple, who met in 2016 on the set of Carey’s reality show Mariah’s World, have decided to go their separate ways due to various reasons, such as the age gap, the different expectations, and jealousy issues.
In this article, we will explore the details and implications of the split, the reactions and responses of both parties, and the impact of the breakup on their personal and professional lives.
How Mariah Carey and Bryan Tanaka Met?
Mariah Carey and Bryan Tanaka met in 2006 when he joined her Adventures of Mimi tour as a choreographer and dancer. They sparked romance rumors in 2016, shortly after Carey called off her engagement to billionaire James Packer. The pair confirmed their relationship in 2017 and appeared on Carey’s docu-series Mariah’s World. They celebrated their anniversary every year with lavish vacations and shared their love on social media. Despite the criticism they faced for their age difference, they were often seen as a happy and supportive couple.
The Reasons for the Split
One of the main reasons why Mariah Carey and Bryan Tanaka decided to end their relationship was the age gap between them. Carey, who is 54, and Tanaka, who is 40, had a 14-year difference that reportedly caused some issues in their romance. According to Page Six, Tanaka wanted to settle down and start a family with Carey but was not ready for that commitment. Carey, who already has two children with her ex-husband Nick Cannon, focused more on her career and her kids than on having more babies.
Another reason for the split was the different expectations that Carey and Tanaka had for each other. People reported that Carey was looking for a casual and fun relationship with Tanaka, but he wanted more from her. Tanaka allegedly expected Carey to support him financially and lavish him with expensive gifts and trips. He also wanted to be more involved in her professional life and influence her decisions. However, Carey was uncomfortable with Tanaka’s demands and felt he was taking advantage of her.
A third reason for the breakup was the jealousy issues that Tanaka had over Carey’s relationship with her ex-husband, Nick Cannon. Carey and Cannon divorced in 2016 and have remained close friends and co-parents of their 6-year-old twins, Monroe and Moroccan. They often spend time together and attend events with their children, such as the Kids’ Choice Awards in March 2023. However, Tanaka was unhappy with Carey and Cannon’s bond and felt they were disrespecting him. He reportedly tried to make Carey jealous by flirting with other women in front of her, but that only backfired and pushed her away.
The Reactions to the Split
The news of Mariah Carey and Bryan Tanaka’s split has sparked various reactions and responses from both parties and their fans and followers.
According to People, Carey’s rep confirmed the breakup and said the singer is “focusing on her kids and new music.” The rep denied the rumors that Tanaka used Carey for money and fame and said they “remain friends.”
Conversely, Tanaka has not directly addressed the split but has posted cryptic messages on his Instagram. On Nov. 29, he shared a photo of himself with the caption, “Life is a journey, not a destination.” On Dec. 1, he posted a video of himself dancing with the caption, “Keep your head up, keep your heart strong.” On Dec. 7, he uploaded a photo of himself with a smiley face emoji and the hashtag #grateful.
The fans and followers of Carey and Tanaka have also expressed their opinions and emotions on social media, with some showing support and sympathy and others expressing disappointment and criticism. Some fans praised Carey for being strong and independent and wished her happiness and success. Some fans thanked Tanaka for making Carey happy and hoped they would remain friends. However, Some fans blamed Tanaka for the split and accused him of being a gold digger and a cheater. Some fans also speculated that Carey and Tanaka’s relationship was fake and staged for publicity.