Fiancé dumps Mariah, the spendthrift diva
(But in a final concession, he’s letting her keep her £8m engagement rock)
WHEN the world’s biggest diva was whisked off her feet by one of the world’s richest men, it seemed like a match made in heaven.
After all, who better to fund Mariah Carey’s indulgent demands than a billionaire.
But it appears there are only so many extravagances a casino tycoon’s wallet can take – and James Packer has called off their engagement amid concerns about her spending.
No doubt the singer will be upset, but this might be eased by a final act of generosity from Mr Packer: he’s letting her keep her $10million (£8.2million) 35-carat engagement ring.
The 48-year-old is also said to have had reservations about Miss Carey’s new reality show, Mariah’s World –
‘Expose their private lives’
which threatened to expose their private lives to all and sundry.
Sources told Australian publication Woman’s Day: ‘James is very generous but Mariah takes it to the next level.’
Miss Carey, 46, is notorious for her backstage demands that have included air purifiers, puppies, a tea service for eight – and a special attendant to dispose of used chewing gum.
Her new show – which she insists on calling a documentary – is due to air on the E! cable TV network from December and will follow the star on her Sweet Sweet Fantasy tour around Europe and Africa while she plans her upcoming wedding.
Sources said Mr Packer – the son of late media mogul Kerry Packer – was reluctant to be involved in the series.
The couple are believed to have first met at a film premiere in Colorado and dated for around a year before Mr Packer proposed in January.
Miss Carey remained relatively quiet on the subject of her impending nuptials, coyly telling People magazine earlier this year: ‘I can’t really talk about them right now because everything is still being figured out. I never said it was going to be a big wedding.’
Both Miss Carey and Mr Packer have been married twice before.
The singer-songwriter’s most recent marriage to rapper Nick Cannon broke down in 2014 after six years together. Mr Cannon is ten years her junior and the couple married within six weeks of meeting. They have five-year-old twins together, Monroe and Moroccan. Miss Carey has recently cancelled a number of tour dates in South America including shows in Brazil, Argentina and Chile. A statement from the star said: ‘To all of my lambs in South America, I am devastated that a portion of this tour had to be cancelled. Thank you for all of the excitement and love – I hope to see you soon, my darlings!’
Last weekend Miss Carey still had her engagement ring on when she wore a sensationally tight latex devil costume at an early Halloween party.