Mariah Carey believes her ex-fiance is trying to ruin her holidays
Mariah Carey is trying her best not to let her split from James Packer ruin her favorite time of year -- Christmas!
A source close to the former couple says that the two have come to a standstill regarding financial negotiations, and that’s taking a toll on Carey.
“[Packer] is causing Mariah severe emotional distress especially at such an important time of her life,” the source says. “He knows she is the queen of the holiday season and she knows he’s trying to ruin it for her.”
Some of the details the two are still trying to sort out are Carey’s $10 million engagement ring, her Los Angeles-area housing, a financial settlement and even the singer’s upcoming reality show.
“They’re not close to reaching a settlement. Mariah has not spoken to James,” the source said of negotiations regarding the couple’s abandoned prenuptial agreement. A source previously told ET that Carey feels she is owed a $50 million “inconvenience fee” she believes was discussed in prenup negotiations, despite never actually tying the knot.
Packer’s lawyers are also allegedly trying to get Carey to give back her $10 million engagement ring, which ET previously reported that the singer intended to keep. “His lawyers have tried to get the ring back,” the source says. “They’re insisting she give it back... She doesn’t want to give it back.”
For now, the 35-carat rock remains in her possession, Carey showed it off in an Instagram posted Thursday night.
As for the Calabasas mansion Packer and Carey leased together, the source claims, “He left her with a pile of expenses. He abandoned her with a house full of staff and had to pay for that security.”
A source previously told ET that “this whole $50 million thing and other noise is a distraction to try and rationalize what she is asking for.” ET has reached out to Packer for comment.
But Carey is doing her best to keep her famous festive Christmas spirit alive. Another source tells ET that Carey will return to Aspen, Colorado, to celebrate the holiday with her children, 5-year-old twins Monroe and Moroccan -- and “neither Bryan Tanaka nor Nick Cannon” are set to join the family for the occasion. Last year, Packer and Carey celebrated their first holiday together in the same town.
Back at home, Carey’s house is already totally decorated with Christmas lights and a giant inflatable Santa Claus with his sleigh.
On Wednesday night, Carey belted out her classic “All I Want for Christmas” at Disneyland, which will air on ABC’s “The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration” later this month. Her backup dancer Tanaka was also present during this performance and an eyewitness says the two “seemed flirty.”
And from VH1 Divas: Unsilent Night to extra Christmas shows on her tour, Carey has plenty to keep her busy this holiday season.
