Wait. Stop. Mariah Carey and Anderson .Paak?
If you told a music fan five years ago that the Queen of Christmas and the Silk Sonic mastermind would be the internet’s favorite "maybe-couple," they’d probably assume you were dreaming up a wild Grammy collab. But here we are in 2026, and the "hand-holding club" is very real.
Honestly, the way this all unfolded was peak Mariah. No press release. No dramatic "Instagram official" post with a black-and-white filter. Just a series of very cozy, very public moments that left everyone squinting at their phone screens. It started way back in December 2024. People spotted them in Aspen—Mariah’s literal home turf for the holidays—looking remarkably comfortable. They weren’t just grabbing dinner at Catch Steak; they were holding hands.
Then came the iHeartRadio Music Awards in March 2025. Anderson didn't just walk the carpet; he helped her onto the stage. He looked smitten. She looked radiant. But in the world of the Elusive Chanteuse, things are rarely just one thing.
The Hand-Holding Club Explained
When Mariah Carey opened up about her relationship with Anderson .Paak during her interview with Gayle King on CBS Mornings late last year, she did it with that signature "dahling" deflection we all love. Gayle, never one to miss a beat, went straight for the jugular about those Aspen photos.
Mariah’s response?
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"He just likes to hold my hand. He just grabs my hand—I don’t know what he’s doing. He’s in the hand-holding club. That’s what it is."
Classic. It’s the kind of quote that says everything and nothing at the same time. While she played coy about a romantic label, she didn’t deny the "special" nature of their time together. She even mentioned a hot tub in Aspen. You don't just invite anyone to the Christmas hot tub.
But beneath the playful banter, there’s a massive creative engine at work. This wasn't just a random hookup. It was a meeting of musical minds. Anderson is a drummer, a singer, a producer—a "musician’s musician." Mariah is a songwriter first and a diva second (despite what the tabloids say). She reached out to him because she thought he was brilliant. That's the real tea.
Inside the Music: Here For It All
The fruit of this "friendship" or "relationship" or whatever-it-is officially landed with Mariah’s 16th studio album, Here For It All, which dropped in September 2025. If you haven't listened to "Play This Song" yet, go do it. It’s got this dusty, 70s R&B grit that Anderson brings to everything he touches, but it’s polished with Mariah’s five-octave magic.
- "Play This Song": Features Anderson’s vocals and that signature "Paak" swing.
- "Type Dangerous": A track Anderson co-wrote that feels like a spiritual successor to Mariah’s Butterfly era.
- "In Your Feelings": A deeper cut where the chemistry is almost distracting.
Anderson recently went on Keke Palmer’s podcast and shared a hilarious story about their first phone call. He thought it was going to be a FaceTime, so he got all dressed up and lit candles in his room. It turned out to be a regular voice call. He was sitting there in the dark, looking sharp for absolutely nobody, just talking to a legend.
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That story tells you a lot about the power dynamic. Even a superstar like Anderson .Paak gets nervous when Mimi calls.
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception? That this is some manufactured PR stunt to sell records. Sure, the timing of the "hand-holding club" comments coincided with the album rollout. That’s just Business 101. But look at the facts. Anderson filed for divorce from Jaylyn Chang in early 2024. Mariah has been single since her split from Bryan Tanaka. They are both parents to teenagers. They both live and breathe the studio.
An insider told Us Weekly that Anderson is "smitten" and that Mariah finds him "challenging and reinvigorating."
In the music industry, "challenging" is a huge compliment. Mariah has spent decades working with producers who just want to replicate her 90s hits. Anderson doesn't do that. He pushes. He changes the rhythm. He makes her laugh. If you watch the "Play This Song" music video, the kiss at the end doesn't look like "acting" for the cameras. It looks like two people who actually enjoy being in the same zip code.
The Age Gap and the Critics
There’s a 16-year age difference here. In 2026, you'd think we’d be over this, but the internet is the internet. Some critics called it a "rebound," while others suggested Anderson was just "climbing the ladder."
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Honestly? That’s nonsense. Anderson .Paak has Grammys. He has Silk Sonic. He doesn't need a "boost" from Mariah Carey. And Mariah? She doesn't need anyone to validate her status. She’s an Icon with a capital I.
If anything, this relationship represents a shift for Mariah. After years of dating younger dancers and billionaires, she’s with someone who matches her musicality. They speak the same language. When they’re seen leaving Birds Street Cafe in LA, they aren't looking for the paparazzi. They’re usually deep in conversation, looking like they just finished an eight-hour session at Electric Lady Studios.
What’s Next for the Duo?
While the world waits for them to say the words "we are dating," the music speaks for itself. Here For It All debuted at #7 on the Billboard 200, proving that Mariah still has the pull, especially when she experiments with new sounds.
If you're looking for the "actionable" takeaway here, it's this: don't wait for a celebrity to confirm a rumor. Look at the creative output. The most authentic part of the Mariah and Anderson saga isn't the hand-holding in Aspen; it's the fact that she’s making some of her best music in a decade.
Key Next Steps for Fans:
- Listen to the "Play This Song" lyrics closely. There are definitely some "inside jokes" tucked into the second verse.
- Watch the CBS Mornings interview. Pay attention to Mariah’s body language when Gayle mentions the hot tub. The "shade" is non-existent; it's pure joy.
- Keep an eye on the 2026 Grammy nominations. Rumor has it they might perform together, and that would be the ultimate "hand-holding club" reunion.
The relationship might be "mysterious" by design, but the vibes are undeniable. Whether they’re a permanent fixture or just a beautiful season of collaboration, they’ve given us a masterclass in how to handle fame with a bit of humor and a lot of soul.
Actionable Insight: If you're a fan of either artist, check out Anderson .Paak's "Malibu" album and Mariah's "Caution" back-to-back. You'll start to see exactly why their sonic worlds crashed together so perfectly.