Singer Mariah Carey has admitted she first met current flame James Packer while still married to Nick Cannon, and had instant chemistry.

In only the second-most surprising celebrity union of this year (after Rupert Murdoch and Jerri Hall), Carey and Packer have been spotted together for the past six months.

Carey told TV host Steve Harvey she and Packer first met in Aspen “a few years ago”, despite only separating from ex-husband Nick Cannon in 2014.

“We were at the Hercules premiere. We were talking and laughing and people were getting mad at us and stuff like that. So we hit it off,” she revealed.

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During the interview, host Harvey noted Packer was a “lucky guy”, with Carey replying, “I’m lucky too”.

The diva wore a large Van Cleef and Arpels necklace for the sit down, saying of it, “Oh, this old thing? [It was] a very, very big surprise, very nice.”

In July, Carey made waves by dedicating a performance of her well-known love ballad “Hero” to Packer.

“I have a new heart tonight,” she said on stage.

“James is in the house. I wanna thank you for my heart.”

Despite the overt statement, Carey and Packer didn’t make their official red carpet debut until the premiere of The Intern in September.

Since then, the pair has proved to be more than fling, with Carey performing at Packer’s new casino opening in Macau.

Mariah Carey was married to TV host Nick Cannon for six years.

During their marriage, Carey and Cannon reportedly holidayed in Aspen every winter.