Anderson .Paak is sharing insight into the time he spent with the legendary Mariah Carey. The duo made headlines in late 2024-2025 when they were spotted on what looked like multiple dates, while also working on music together in the studio.
© NBCTheir track, “Play This Song,” landed on Carey’s 2025 album Here For It All. Despite never confirming they were an item, it was reported that they split amicably by December 2025. Regardless, .Paak has nothing but fond memories working with the "Always Be My Baby" singer.
© NBCHe told US Weekly at the Time 100 Gala on April 23, it was "incredible" working with the "legend and learning how to write in different ways, seeing how that she’s so hands-on, with the production, with the writing, with everything.”
According to .Paak, the process was just as memorable as the final result. He described moments of “just having fun,” soaking in her stories, and he went on to reveal what they were fueling with to get inspired, saying they were “eating caviar" and "drinking champagne.”
© The Grosby GroupHe's not the only person who has shared Carey's appreciation of studio champagne. Music producer Damion “Damizza” Young recently opened up about Pamela Anderson's background vocals on "Loverboy", saying the Baywatch star showed up, and the next thing he knew, they were "poppin' champagne."
Anderson and Mariah's relationship
© Backgrid/The Grosby GroupAround the time they were working together, the two sparked dating rumors after being spotted holding hands in Aspen in late 2024. What initially looked like a creative partnership quickly became something fans were obsessed with, especially as they showed up together hand in hand from awards shows to low-key dinners in Los Angeles.
© Backgrid/The Grosby GroupCarey, for her part, kept things playful when asked about it, joking to CBS Mornings, “He just likes to hold my hand… I don’t know what he’s doing,” brushing it off as part of his “hand-holding club.”
Behind the scenes, though, sources suggested it wasn’t entirely casual. They reportedly met through music. Paak, being a longtime fan, began spending time together despite packed schedules. Both were also coming out of previous relationships .Paak filed for divorce from his wife, Jae Lin, in January 2024, while Carey’s split from Bryan Tanaka was in 2023.
Even so, the mutual respect hasn’t shifted. Carey has called. Paak “brilliant,” and he’s clearly still in awe of her. And if there’s one thing he made clear, it’s that he’d do it all again “as long as she’s working and she’ll have me.”
