MARIAH CAREY has been taking public potshots at NICK CANNON, and now friends fear there is trouble brewing in their five-year marriage.
Although a rep for Mariah told The ENQUIRER there’s “no truth whatsoever” to reports of serious issues in the couple’s marriage, there is potentially a $530 million at stake. What began as behind-the-scenes bickering has turned public as a bitter Mariah launches media attacks on the father of her 2-year-old twins, son Moroccan and daughter Monroe.
“She’s had it with Nick,” declared a close source. “She’s publicly dissing him.”
Just recently, the “Hero” singer told an interviewer she doesn’t know where Nick is half the time and coldly stated that they weren’t going to be together for Valentine’s Day.
The stinging comments came hot on the heels of reports they were in the process of selling their $13 million Bel-Air, Calif., home.
The growing dis tance between the two became painfully evident on Feb. 12, when Mariah, 44, and 33-year-old Nick arrived separately to the MTV premiere in New York of her new video “You’re Mine (Eternal).”
“There was little interaction between them, and Mariah was nowhere to be seen as Nick worked the crowd at a party – posing with sexy cocktail waitresses and chatting with pals,” revealed an insider.
Sources say they believe Nick may be jealous over the handsome singers Mariah has been working with, including Latin hunk Miguel and R&B heartthrob Trey Songz, who collaborated with her on “You’re Mine (Eternal).”
Beyond the public sniping – and occasional very public displays of affection – this marriage involves some big bucks.
Mariah’s net worth is approximately $510 million, and Nick has about $20 million of his own. Sources say she made him agree to a prenup before they wed in 2008, and her recent remarks indicate a new frostiness between the diva and the popular “America’s Got Talent” host.
When an interviewer told her Nick said they have “lots and lots of sex,” Mariah coldly responded: “He needs to slow down and stop talking.”
She then quipped they were headed to the Dominican Republic for a divorce.
Said the insider: “Mariah may have dropped the divorce line as a joke, but she seems to be telegraphing a message to Nick.”
As a Valentine’s Day promotional stunt, Mariah posted sexy pictures of herself online – wearing a provocative outfit in a tub filled with pink and red balloons. She tagged it: “Waiting for my Valentine” and also suggested Nick had rushed home to be with her.
But The ENQUIRER learned the pics were shot the day before, and on Valentine’s Day Nick was in New Orleans for the NBA’s All-Star Celebrity Game!