It Was A Mistake – James Parker Talks His Engagement To Mariah Carey

Billionaire James Packer has finally opened up about the end of his relationship with singer Mariah Carey, adding that their romance and short-lived engagement was a ‘mistake’.

Speaking with The Australian, Packer reveals how he has been living since their breakup in October 2016. he said he met Mariah at a low point in his life.

Two years ago I was terrified. I had $2.3 billion of debt at CPH ­[Consolidated Press Holdings, his private company], over $3 billion of debt at Crown, I’d just appointed Rob [Rankin as chairman of Crown], Macau was falling over and [sister] Gretel was on my doorstep.
‘Then, a year later, I’ve got China falling apart, the Australian casino businesses missing budgets by big amounts, I’ve got Mariah breaking up with me and I’m thinking, ‘F..k!’.

Parker revealed Brett Ratner, his partner in an ill-fated Hollywood venture RatPac, introduced him to Carey :

‘I was at a low point in my personal life. Documenting the negotiations with my sister was taking longer than expected.’She was kind, exciting and fun. Mariah is a woman of substance. She is very bright. But it was a mistake for her and a mistake for me.’

On his marriage to second wife Erica:

‘It is my biggest regret that I let my marriage to Erica fail. It is what it is and she is doing an incredible job with the kids and we are in a great place,’ he said.