Mariah Carey appears to be enjoying a romantic break in the UAE alongside new boyfriend Bryan Tanaka.
Photos show the happy couple have been busy soaking up the sights and sounds of the UAE, with Carey making the extra effort of an early arrival, days ahead of her upcoming performance in Dubai.
The pop superstar was spotted indulging in a spot of sightseeing on Tuesday afternoon, including an obligatory trip to the Burj Khalifa.
Pictures of the outing were shared with the press by representatives of the Dubai Jazz Festival – for which Carey will perform on Thursday, at Dubai Media City Amphitheatre.
Described as the best-selling female artist ever, Carey was reportedly ferried to Downtown Dubai in a red Bentley, arriving and posing for pictures with her recently unveiled new partner Tanaka, a backing dancer in the star’s stage show.
Further pictures show the couple walking hand-in-hand, smiling at onlookers wielding camera-phones.
The world’s eyes will be on Dubai on Thursday, when Carey will make her first live public performance since a much-discussed televised meltdown on Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, which was wrought with technical difficulties.
This UAE festival appearance offers Carey a one-off warm-up before she hits the road on a double bill with Lionel Richie, touring across the United States next month.
Carey has clocked an incredible 18 US Billboard number ones, a record only topped by The Beatles, and achieved reported record sales of 200 million.
For more information on Dubai Jazz Festival visit www.dubaijazzfest.com.
rgarratt@thenational.ae