Bryan Tanaka is opening up about his breakup with Mariah Carey.
On Tuesday (December 26), the backup dancer, 40, shared a lengthy statement on social media about the couple’s split, which he says was a “mutual” decision between them.
“Dear friends and fans, with mixed emotions, I share this personal update on my amicable separation from Mariah Carey after seven extraordinary years together,” Tanaka begins the message on Twitter. Instagram. “Our decision to embark on different paths is mutual, and as we navigate these separate journeys, we do so with deep respect and an enormous sense of gratitude for the priceless time we have shared. The memories we created and the artistic collaborations are engraved in my heart forever.”
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Carey, 54, and Tanaka began working together in 2006 when he appeared as a member of the iconic singer-songwriter’s Adventures of Mimi tour. She confirmed the relationship in a Associated Press interview in February 2017 after she called him her “boyfriend.” Their affair also happened on E! by Carey! reality series Mariah’s world. They began dating after Carey’s split from her ex-fiance, Australian businessman James Packer.
Speculation about the couple’s split began after Tanaka was absent from Merry Christmas One and All! tour in mid-November, People reports. The publication also noted that he wasn’t celebrating the holidays with Carey, as he usually does, in Aspen, Colorado.
Carey had not shared any statements of her own as of press time.
“Mariah’s dedication to her family and her commitment to her craft have inspired us throughout our journey,” Tanaka continued in his statement. “I want to express my love and appreciation for Mariah and her incredible children, whose warmth and kindness have enriched my life in ways words cannot capture.”
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Tanaka added: “During this delicate time, I kindly ask for your understanding, privacy and respect. The outpouring of love and support from fans has been a beacon of strength and I am incredibly grateful for the encouragement that continues to lift my spirits. I look forward to continuing my journey, knowing that my passion for inspiration, dance and the creative arts will resonate in the chapters that unfold.”
Read Tanaka’s full Instagram statement below.
