Mariah Carey addressed speculation over her relationship with Anderson .Paak in a recent appearance on CBS Mornings. She lightly dismissed dating rumors while acknowledging a recurring physical gesture between the two collaborators. “He just likes to hold my hand. He just grabs my hand, I don’t know what he’s doing,” Carey told co-host Gayle King.
Mariah Carey and Anderson .Paak’s Romance
Carey added that .Paak belongs in what she referred to as the “hand-holding club.” “He’s a hand-holding club. That’s what it is,” she said, attempting to demystify the attention over their interactions.
The two have worked together on songs for Carey’s forthcoming 16th studio album, Here for It All, slated for release Sept. 26. Their collaborations reportedly include “Play This Song” (featuring .Paak’s vocals) and co-writing credits on “Type Dangerous.”
Carey implicitly pushed back on romantic inferences while affirming her respect for .Paak as an artist. She described him as “brilliant” and expressed her admiration for his creative instincts.
King gently probed further, referencing recent public outings and their time in Aspen during the 2024 holiday season. To that, Carey remarked, “They better know that it’s something special — it’s Christmas.” After noting .Paak’s presence that season, she added, “He enjoyed it,” and confirmed she “did.”
Still, Carey declined to confirm a romantic relationship. She declined further comment when King asked her to characterize their status beyond hand-holding.
Rumors first gained traction in December 2024, when the pair were photographed holding hands in Aspen. Later, they attended the iHeartRadio Music Awards together, where Carey received the Icon Award. Following that event, they were again seen holding hands at a dinner in Los Angeles.