Mariah Carey and Brett Ratner Dating Rumors: Both Camps Issue Denial

The celebrity world has been abuzz with rumors that multiple Grammy award winner Mariah Carey has been dating movie director Brett Ratner. The rumors first surfaced after the two were spotted apparently having a good time together on the Carribean island of St. Barts.

The rumors took a controversial turn when an Instagram photo of the 46-year-old Ratner surfaced showing him kissing another woman.

Earlier last week, a spokesperson for the 45-year-old Carey denied the rumors surrounding her and Ratner, labeling them as "ridiculous."

Ratner also issued a statement, describing the rumors about him dating Carey as "silly."

However, the denials failed to stop the rumor mill as photos of Carey and Ratner in rather intimate poses were published by gossip websites. The photos included those sourced from Ratner's Instagram account.

TMZ published a photo of them on a boat off the island of St. Barts which showed them snuggling on a cushion and sipping champagne. The caption on the picture said they "were a couple" and "Ratner was nuts about her."

Recently, Ratner – who directed "X-Men: Last Stand" – was spotted shopping with Carey and another mystery woman in St. Barts. Then another photo of him kissing the mystery woman surfaced.

Details soon emerged that he had been dating the mystery woman for about one year and that she was with Ratner and Carey when most of the pictures were taken.

Carey and Ratner appear to be happy hanging out together as friends. Sources say their relationship has developed over the many years they have worked together.

Ratner first worked with Carey when she made the music video titled "I Still Believe" and followed that up with the singer's 1999 hit "Heartbreaker."

They have continued their collaboration well into the last decade and recently spent time together celebrating their birthdays which were a few days apart.