Mariah Carey is once again at the center of headlines, this time, not just for her music, but for her rumored romance with hip-hop and R&B star Anderson .Paak. While fans have been buzzing about their relationship since late last year, Carey is finally speaking up, and she’s doing it with her signature sense of humor.
With her new album Here For It All dropping on Friday (Sept. 26), Carey sat down for an interview on CBS Mornings with Gayle King to talk about her music, the holiday season, and yes, her connection with Anderson .Paak. The chemistry between the two has sparked months of speculation, and Carey didn’t shy away from addressing it.
This latest conversation comes as fans eagerly await what could be her most personal album yet. From playful banter to real collaborations, the relationship between the "We Belong Together" icon and the Silk Sonic singer is more than just talk; it’s now music, too.
Mariah Carey talks Anderson .Paak and their “hand-holding club”
When Gayle King brought up their now-viral photos from December 2024, where Mariah and Anderson .Paak were spotted holding hands in Aspen, she joked, “He was there at Christmas, and everybody knows what Christmas means to you.”
Carey playfully responded, “Well, they better know that it’s something special ... it’s Christmas.”
She added, “He enjoyed it,” before King followed up, asking if she did too. Carey replied, “I did.”
As for whether their relationship is romantic or just friendly, Carey kept things lighthearted:
“He just likes to hold my hand. He just grabs my hand ... I don’t know what he’s doing.”
Anderson .Paak collaborates on two songs from Here For It All
Beyond the rumors, Anderson .Paak plays a real role in Here For It All. The Grammy-winning rapper and producer is featured on the track “Play This Song,” and is also credited as a co-writer on “Type Dangerous.” The collaboration was confirmed by Carey during the same interview.
Their musical connection was also visible earlier this year when .Paak helped Mariah Carey on stage at the iHeartRadio Music Awards as she received the Icon Award. Just a week later, they were seen together again, leaving Birds Street Cafe hand-in-hand.
Mariah Carey’s new album features Kehlani, Shenseea, and Gospel legends
Here For It All, Mariah Carey’s 16th studio album, promises a fresh mix of R&B, hip hop, and gospel influences. Alongside Anderson .Paak, the album features “Sugar Sweet” with Kehlani and Shenseea. Gospel legends The Clark Sisters also appear, rounding out a powerful guest list.
With Mariah blending romance rumors, legendary vocals, and collaborations from across genres, Here For It All is shaping up to be one of her most exciting releases in years.