Mariah Carey splits with longtime boyfriend Brian Tanaka

Pop star Mariah Carey has broken up with her longtime boyfriend of 7 years, Brian Tanaka.

The two have kept their relationship out of the limelight for the most part. However, word that they had split apart has caught fire.

Page Six reported their age difference took its toll with the 40-year-old former backup dancer wanting to have his own children and the 54-year-old Carey thinking differently.

Carey has been married twice. First to Sony Records executive Tommy Mottola from 1993- 98 and then to Nick Cannon from 2008 to 2016.

The couple had twins together- a son Moroccan and a daughter Monroe in 2011.

Rumors began to spread in November when Tanaka was absent from her Merry Christmas All in One tour, according to the Evening Standard.

Then she took a trip to Aspen without her ex. They had not been publicly seen together since the singer’s birthday in March.

The South China Morning Post also reports that fans described Carey as low energy and downbeat during recent performances. Born in Washington state, Tanaka’s parents are White mother and Japanese father. He has described himself as a “half-Asian, half-Hawaiian white boy”.

Besides Mariah, he has worked with Beyonce, he has worked with Madonna, Rihanna, Usher and Lady Gaga.

“He wants to start having his own life,” a source told Page Six. Carey has described the year as a tough one.

“I’ve been looking forward to this Christmas for, like, the whole year. Since last year — because last year wasn’t the greatest,” the “Obsessed” songstress said.

(Editor: An earlier photo we posted of Tanaka was an actor of the same name, but not Carey’s ex-boyfriend. We regret the error).