BY NBC NEWS
After dating for seven years, Mariah Carey and Bryan Tanaka called it quits on Tuesday.
Mariah Carey’s companion and backup dancer turned creative director wrote a statement with The Associated Press and posted on Tanaka’s Instagram that explained their split.
He stated, “After seven amazing years together, I share this personal update regarding my amicable separation from Mariah Carey with mixed emotions.” We have mutually decided to take distinct paths, and we approach these separate travels with a great deal of respect and appreciation for the priceless time we have spent together. Our shared creative vision and the moments we’ve made will always have a special place in my heart.
“Knowing my love for inspiration, dance, and the creative arts will resonate in the unfolding chapters, I eagerly anticipate continuing my journey,” he said.
Tanaka and Carey originally connected as backup dancers on Tanaka’s 2006 The Adventures of Mimi tour.
The singer of “All I Want for Christmas is You” first told the AP in 2017 that they were dating.
“I’m just going to say that I don’t really discuss personal matters.” Because that’s what I used to do, and it did work for a little while back then,” she grinned at the time. “I simply don’t feel like discussing my personal life right now. My partner and I are not interested in doing that.
Last month, fans noted Tanaka did not accompany Mariah Carey on her Merry Christmas One and All! tour, which sparked internet rumors of their breakup.
he hasn’t made a public announcement about the split.
An AP request for comment was not immediately answered by a Mariah Carey spokeswoman.
