I always forgot that Mariah Carey was technically in a relationship with Bryan Tanaka. It never seemed like a genuine romantic relationship of equals, it felt more like… Bryan was her dear friend and he helped her out sometimes but they weren’t really in a traditional relationship. Bryan and Mariah might have had a professional relationship since 2006, but they didn’t start “dating” until late 2016/early 2017, soon after Mariah was dumped by billionaire James Packer. Back then, it felt like Mariah basically hired Bryan to be seen out and about with her in the wake of that split, for some image-rehab. It worked – people barely talk about that Packer mess anymore. There were also rumors along the way about Bryan and Mariah splitting and making up, but it always seemed so low-stakes. Speaking of low stakes, People Magazine seemingly just noticed that Bryan hasn’t been around much this year, and I think People got the tip from Mariah’s team that Bryan would not be joining her in Aspen this Christmas.

Mariah Carey and Bryan Tanaka have appeared to have called it quits. Since kicking off her Merry Christmas One and All! tour in mid-November, Tanaka has been absent from Carey’s shows, sparking fan speculation that the pop icon has split from her longtime boyfriend.

A source tells PEOPLE Carey — who’s mom to 12-year-old twins Moroccan and Monroe (who she shares with ex-husband Nick Cannon) — is also celebrating the holidays in Aspen without Tanaka, 40, who has traditionally accompanied her to the snowy getaway.

This marks the first time the Songbird Supreme and creative director, who have had a professional relationship since 2006, have not traveled together for the holidays in years.

Reps for Carey declined to comment when reached by PEOPLE.

The couple was last publicly seen spending time together back in March when the hitmaker celebrated her birthday, which she prefers to refer to as her “anniversary.” At the time, Tanaka shared a photo of himself and Carey smiling and embracing one another on Instagram and shared a sweet message in the caption.

[From People]

Was Bryan the power behind the throne all this time, or was he just… a good friend who was loyal and low-drama? I remember Mariah’s relationship with Packer, and she reportedly refused to sleep with him until they were married. I wonder if it was the same with Bryan. Anyway, Bryan was a loyal member of Mariah’s lambily and he will be missed!

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Photos courtesy of Backgrid, Instagram.