Wait, did you see those photos? Honestly, if you weren't refreshing your feed during the 2024 holiday season, you might have missed the moment the internet collectively lost its mind. Mariah Carey and Anderson .Paak were spotted in Aspen, and they weren’t just "grabbing coffee." They were holding hands. In the snow.
It felt random. Like a Mad Libs headline. But as we moved into 2025 and now early 2026, it’s become clear that the connection between Anderson .Paak Mariah Carey is much more than a fleeting seasonal rumor. It is a full-blown creative—and likely romantic—renaissance for the Songbird Supreme.
The Hand-Holding Club Explained
Gayle King tried to get the tea. She really did. During a now-viral CBS Mornings interview in late 2025, she pressed Mariah on the nature of her relationship with Brandon Paak Anderson (his real name, for the trivia buffs). Mariah, draped in her signature "I'm a diva and I know it" glow, didn't give a straight answer.
"He's in the hand-holding club," she joked. "He just grabs my hand. I don't know what he's doing."
Yeah, okay, Mariah. We totally believe that the most meticulous woman in music just accidentally finds her fingers intertwined with a Grammy-winning polymath everywhere from Beverly Hills to the iHeartRadio Music Awards.
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Why this duo actually makes sense
On paper? It's weird. Mariah is the undisputed Queen of Christmas and 90s R&B royalty. Anderson is the drum-playing, Silk Sonic-grooving, bucket-hat-wearing soul of the modern era. But look closer. Anderson grew up with a massive crush on her—he even wore a Mariah Carey T-shirt during a Track Star appearance in May 2025.
He's a fan first. That matters. Mariah has spent years being the "protected" icon, but with Anderson, she seems... looser? He even mocks her famous "aversion to mobility" (basically, her refusal to walk anywhere she can be carried or wheeled) on Instagram. And she lets him! That’s real friendship, or something deeper.
"Here for It All" and the Music We Got
The rumors were the appetizer. The main course was Mariah's 16th studio album, Here for It All, which dropped on September 26, 2025. This wasn't just a cameo. Anderson didn't just show up, rap four bars, and leave.
He's all over the credits.
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The Standout Tracks
- "Play This Song": The third single and arguably the soul of the record. It’s a 1970s throwback that sounds like it was recorded in a room filled with velvet and expensive champagne. It’s a duet where their voices actually meld rather than just sitting next to each other.
- "Type Dangerous": A track Anderson helped write. It’s got that gritty, N.W.I. production style (his production trio with Jairus Mozee and Jason Pounds).
- "In Your Feelings": He’s credited as a producer here alongside Rogét Chahayed. It’s the "IDGAF" Mariah we haven't seen since The Emancipation of Mimi.
The music video for "Play This Song" basically confirmed everything without saying a word. Black and white. A mansion. They look absolutely enamored. At the 2025 BET Awards, Anderson didn't even sing; he just sat behind the kit and played drums for her. That's a power move.
What Most People Get Wrong
People think this is a "rebound" or a publicity stunt for the album. It’s probably not. Sources close to the pair—and yes, we're talking about the folks who actually see them at Birds Street Cafe at 2 AM—say they met in the summer of 2024 at Electric Lady Studios in NYC.
It started with a phone call. Anderson told Keke Palmer on her podcast that when Mariah first called him, he thought it was going to be a FaceTime. He got all dressed up, lit candles, the whole nine yards. It was just a voice call. He was embarrassed, but that "energy" he felt? It carried over into the studio.
The Nick Cannon Factor
Everyone wants to know what her ex thinks. During the same press circuit, Mariah famously dodged questions about Nick Cannon, saying he can stay in "his own world." Meanwhile, Anderson filed for divorce from his wife, Jaylyn Chang, in early 2024. The timing is... interesting.
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What’s Next for Anderson .Paak and Mariah Carey?
So, where are we now in 2026?
Mariah is coming off a massive tour where she performed "Play This Song" as a centerpiece. Anderson is still popping up in her comment sections with heart-eye emojis. They haven't officially "announced" a wedding or anything wild, but the "hand-holding club" seems to have a lifetime membership.
Actionable Insights for the Lambs
- Listen to the Lyrics: If you want to know how she feels, go back to "I Won't Allow It." It’s a diss track with Anderson's signature drums that basically tells her past flings to stay away.
- Watch the Fallon Performance: Their September 2025 Tonight Show appearance is the best live vocal blend we've seen from Mariah in a decade.
- Follow the Production: Keep an eye on the "N.W.I." production tag. If Anderson continues to produce for her, we’re looking at a permanent shift in her sound toward a more organic, funk-heavy R&B.
The collaboration between Anderson .Paak Mariah Carey didn't just give us a hit song; it gave a legendary artist her groove back. Whether they're dating or just the world's most talented best friends, the music is better for it.
Check out the "Play This Song" music video if you haven't yet—the chemistry isn't just acting. It's the kind of spark you can't manufacture in a studio.
Next Steps to Stay Updated:
- Follow Anderson .Paak on Instagram to catch his playful roasts of Mariah’s "diva" moments.
- Add "Play This Song" to your R&B playlist to hear the N.W.I. production style in high fidelity.
- Monitor the 2026 festival lineups; rumors are swirling about a joint Silk Sonic x Mariah surprise set.