Mariah Carey is kicking off the holiday season with her trademark flair, engaging fans with festive social media glimpses and face-to-face appearances as Christmas 2024 wraps up. The celebrated songstress was spotted on Christmas Eve right at the heart of luxurious Aspen, Colorado, indulging in some last-minute holiday shopping just hours before the big day.
Dressed for the occasion, the 55-year-old Carey dazzled onlookers in her Santa-red jacket paired with sleek black leather pants, radiantly flashing her signature smile throughout her shopping spree. This joyful excursion took place at the exclusive Gucci store, demonstrating her magical hue of Christmas spirit amid the swanky ski town.
"Merry Christmas Eve to all!" she warmly announced to her fans via Instagram, which she populated with cheerful snapshots of her towering Christmas tree and memorable culinary moments clad in a bedazzled apron, showcasing her festive culinary escapades. But it’s not all cheerful for Mariah this season, as she faced some intense moments leading up to Christmas, including exploring new musical collaboration with Anderson .Paak.
While attending her pre-Christmas concert in Philadelphia, Mariah momentarily faltered on one of her recognizable high notes from the classic holiday hit "It’s Time." The slip-up caught the attention of fans who chronicled the performance on social media platforms, expressing their concerns for the pop diva. Despite the vocal mishap, the queen of Christmas rebounded quickly, charming the audience with selections from her perennial holiday staple, Merry Christmas.
On December 22, even more excitement buzzed around Mariah as she was recently seen strolling through the restaurant Catch Steak with rumored collaborator Anderson .Paak. Eyewitness accounts captured the duo holding hands, sparking rumors of romance, though insiders later clarified their relationship as purely professional. They were spotted enjoying each other’s company between hours spent working on new music for upcoming projects.
While speculations about her love life swirl, Mariah’s emotional state has taken center stage. A source disclosed to Life & Style, "It’s never a good time for a loved one to die. But the fact she had to go straight to all her Christmas promo seasons made it all the more difficult." It’s reported she remains grappling with the grief of losing her mother and sister, all amid the frenzy of the holiday bustle.
Her friends express concern for her well-being, as sources told the public, "She’s not sleeping well and is still crying on and off," highlighting the internal struggles she faces as she maintains the performed facade of joy during the holidays. To add to her restless spirit, there’s anxiety looming over the possibility of someone else stealing her Christmas crown, pushing her to go "way overboard" with her promotional efforts this year.
Mariah's romantic history has remained part of her public identity. She recently parted ways with her long-time partner Bryan Tanaka after seven years. He shared his feelings via Instagram, noting gratitude for their time together and saying, "With mixed emotions, I share this personal update...our decision to part is mutual." This signals yet another shift as she navigates this new chapter.
Marrying the past to the present, sources confirm Mariah turned to her ex-husband Nick Cannon, seeking the comfort of familiar camaraderie through this transitional phase. "They have special bonds. It's not romantic, but Mariah enjoys having his shoulder to lean on during this time," explained one insider.
To top it all off, Mariah is set to perform her iconic holiday track "All I Want For Christmas Is You" as part of the NFL's Christmas Day games, presenting fans with another opportunity to hear her live and celebrate the Christmas spirit together. This performance is scheduled for around 5:00 AM AEDT (1:00 PM ET) on December 26, just before the Pittsburgh Steelers take on the Kansas City Chiefs.
Despite the emotional weight of the season and the challenges she faces, Mariah Carey continues to reign as the beloved "Queen of Christmas," providing her fans with music and memories as they celebrate and embrace the joy of the holidays. One thing is for certain—it wouldn’t be Christmas without Mariah!
