That got messy fast. News of superstar singer Mariah Carey’s broken engagement to Australian billionaire James Packer surprised fans this week. The couple called things off amid allegations of excessive spending, his desire for privacy and the businessman’s alleged jealousy over her close friendship with one of her backup dancers.
Here’s everything we know so far about their breakup.
Her Spending Was an Issue
Carey’s “lavish” spending was a sore point with Packer, multiple sources told Us Weekly. Despite being born into a massive inheritance, billionaire Packer, 49, is “not used to that level of spending,” one insider said.
“The difference is, she has always drained through her own money, but now she had him picking up some of the bills,” another source tells Us. “He started managing her money and her affairs. He started coming up with other ways she could make money.”
He Didn’t Want a Life In the Spotlight
Carey’s worldwide fame and celebrity lifestyle was also an issue for “more private” businessman, an insider told Us. “Being in such a public relationship was fun for James at first, but then it got to be too much and he wanted his normal life back,” the insider added.
The singer also brought along an entourage of staffers whenever they traveled, which “drove him crazy,” said the source.
She Didn’t Like His Temper
Packer quickly swept the “Hero” singer off her feet when they first began dating but soon began to show a darker side, claimed an insider, alleging that the businessman “had a temper and could get angry over the smallest things.”
One of those things? Her close friendship with a backup dancer, Bryan Tanaka.
There Was Tension Over Her Relationship With a Backup Dancer
Contrary to cheating rumors, Carey and her backup dancer Tanaka were not romantically involved, a source told Us. “It wasn’t sexual. She didn’t cheat,” the insider said.
But the pair are close. Tanaka has performed with the superstar for her Las Vegas residency Mariah #1 to Infinity, and on her Sweet Sweet Fantasy tour.
They Haven’t Seen Each Other Since a Fight In Greece
The couple called off their engagement after an argument while on vacation last month and have not seen each other since, her rep told Entertainment Tonight on Thursday, October 27. Packer was a no-show at Carey’s annual Halloween Party on October 22, where she donned a sexy red latex devil costume and reunited with estranged husband Nick Cannon and their 5-year-old twins, Monroe and Moroccan.
She Wanted More From the Businessman
Other sources close to Carey say the mother of two didn’t feel Packer has “been present for her” in their relationship.
Without that emotional support, the singer felt she “had to leave him.” But a Packer rep disputes this, telling Us, “This is simply untrue.”
They Might Get Back Together
Despite their very public split, a reconciliation may not be out of the picture. “They are trying to work it out. Right now, they’re not sure if they will stay together. They are discussing it and plan to release an official statement together about their future,” the singer’s rep said on Thursday. Indeed, Carey was spotted wearing her $10 million engagement ring when she stepped out for dinner in Los Angeles on Thursday, October 27.
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