Cannon, 11 years younger than Carey, has acted on television and in films such as 2002's "Drumline" and "Shall We Dance?" and he made his singing debut with a self-titled albumin 2003 and followed up in 2006 with "Stages."

The pair met when Cannon directed a video for her recent single, "Bye, Bye," and have been dating for several weeks, according to reports.

Carey was married previously to record executive Tommy Mottola, but they divorced in 1998. It is Cannon's first marriage.

(Editing by Mary Milliken and Peter Cooney)

In the photograph: Nick Cannon

Photograph: Astrid Stawiarz-Getty Images