Mariah Carey’s ex Bryan Tanaka has finally confirmed their split after the pair were trailed by a swarm of breakup rumors.
Last week, reports began circulating that Mariah had broken up with Bryan, who started off as one of her backup dancers.
A source informed Page Six that they had gone their separate ways because he wants to have children and she does not.
Bryan, 40, posted an Instagram message this Tuesday officially announcing that he and Mariah, 54, had ended their relationship after seven years.
He maintained that their split was ‘amicable’ and ‘mutual’ and expressed his ‘overwhelming sense of gratitude for the invaluable time we’ve shared.’
Mariah Carey ‘s ex Bryan Tanaka has finally confirmed their split after the pair were trailed by a cloud of breakup rumors; pictured together in 2016
‘Dear friends and fans,’ he began his lengthy message: ‘With mixed emotions, I share this personal update regarding my amicable separation from Mariah Carey after seven extraordinary years together.’
He insisted: ‘Our decision to embark on different paths is mutual, and as we navigate these separate journeys, we do so with profound respect and an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the invaluable time we’ve shared.’
In a warm tribute to their years together, he added: ‘The memories we’ve created and the artistic collaborations are etched in my heart forever.’
He went on: ‘Mariah’s dedication to her family and her commitment to her craft have inspired us during our shared journey. I want to express my love and appreciation for Maria and her incredible children, whose warmth and kindness have enriched my life in ways words cannot capture.’
In his concluding paragraph, he entreated the public: “During this sensitive time, I kindly ask for your understanding, privacy and respect.’
Bryan continued: ‘The outpouring of love and support from fans has been a beacon of strength, and I am extremely grateful for the encouragement that continues to uplift me. I eagerly anticipate continuing my journey, knowing my passion for inspiration, dance, and the creative arts will resonate in the unfolding chapters.’
The dashing professional dancer signed off his breakup message: ‘With #MuchLove and gratitude,’ and closed with his name.
Last week, the breakup rumors went into overdrive when Mariah took her annual Christmas trip to Aspen without Bryan, who in past years usually joined her there.
The speculation was already mounting by the time an insider spilled the news to Page Six last Wednesday and shed some light on the reasons.
Noting the 14-year age gap between the longtime couple, the source explained: ‘He wants to have a family. That’s not where she is at.’
While Bryan has no children yet, Mariah is already a mother of two, co-parenting her 12-year-old twins Monroe and Moroccan with her ex Nick Cannon.
Bryan and Mariah have not been seen together since March, when he posted an Instagram snap of the two of them to wish her a happy anniversary.
Meanwhile Bryan has not been featured on Mariah’s Instagram page for almost an entire year – his most recent appearance there is dated to Boxing Day 2022.
Mariah is currently in Aspen indulging in a bit of relaxation after one of her pull-out-the-stops Christmas concert tours, which have become a Yuletide tradition.
During one concert earlier this month at Madison Square Garden, she went viral for bringing both Ariana Grande and Jennifer Hudson onstage with her.
Eagle-eyed fans were quick to notice that Bryan was also not seen with Mariah as she traveled around for her Christmas tour this year.
In years past, fans could catch Bryan dancing onstage during Mariah’s Yuletide shows, but this holiday season he was not a part of the program.
Bryan and Mariah have known each other since at least 2006, when he worked as one of the backup dancers on her Adventures Of Mimi tour.
In the ensuing decade, Mariah married and divorced the steamy comedian Nick Cannon, with whom she shares Monroe and Moroccan.
After her split from Nick, Mariah embarked on a whirlwind engagement with Australian billionaire James Packer, which fell apart in 2016.
She took up with Bryan later in 2016, and with the exception of a brief split in 2017, they remained together ever since right up to this year’s split rumors.
Although they rarely discussed their relationship in public, Bryan did gush about their connection to E! News in 2016, shortly after they first got together.
‘Something connected with us back in the day and there was just a mutual admiration,’ the stage performer effused.
‘She saw something in me that I actually didn’t recognize at first, from that it was over. It was set in history that we were gonna be connected some way, some how.’
