Billionaire James Packer Reveals: How His Former Fiancé Mariah Carey Threatened to Unveil His Deepest Secrets — and Why Tom Cruise Ended Their Friendship Over Scientology

In a revealing interview with Sydtomarket.net, James Packer delves into the complexities surrounding his relationships with former fiancée Mariah Carey and ex-friend Tom Cruise, offering an honest look at the personal struggles he’s faced.

The 57-year-old billionaire reflects on the disintegration of his engagement to the 55-year-old music icon, describing their time together as a “trainwreck.” Packer candidly shared that their romance, which began with an engagement in January 2016 and ended just ten months later, was fraught with difficulties. He recounted a specific incident where Carey believed he was responsible for a magazine story that painted her in a negative light. According to Packer, Carey thought he had planted the story, leading her to threaten to disclose damaging secrets about him. This accusation and the ensuing threats contributed to the collapse of their relationship, which Packer described as one of the “worst times” of his life. He explained, “Mariah and I had broken up and she thought I’d planted a story in a magazine, which I hadn’t, and it made her look bad. She was threatening to say things about me, and so it was um… it was a trainwreck. It was a trainwreck. The times that I’ve been at my worst, you know, I’ve had a lot on my mind.”

Turning to his relationship with Tom Cruise, Packer revealed that their friendship ended due to differences related to Scientology. He clarified that he is no longer affiliated with the Church of Scientology, attributing the dissolution of their friendship to Cruise’s personal choices rather than any actions on his part. Packer expressed no ill will toward Cruise, stating, “I was good friends with Tom Cruise. It’s Tom’s choice, not mine, that we’re not friends anymore. I’ll never say a bad word about him; he was a wonderful friend to me. He is an amazing person.”

In addition to discussing his relationships, Packer was open about his struggles with mental health, including his bipolar disorder. He revealed that managing his condition requires a complex array of medications, which are overseen by a healthcare professional. Packer shared a particularly challenging experience with lithium, which he was prescribed in 2022. He described the effect of the medication as leaving him in a “zombie” state, highlighting the difficulties of finding the right treatment. “The worst drug I was on, I was put on lithium in 2022 and within two weeks I was a zombie … I was a complete zombie,” he explained. Packer noted that improper medication can sometimes exacerbate mental health issues, reflecting on his experiences with various psychiatrists around the world.

Despite the personal and public challenges he’s faced, Packer maintains a perspective of gratitude and resilience. He stressed that he does not view himself as a victim and recognizes the advantages of his financial situation. “I am not here to play the victim. I consider myself a very fortunate person. Money is not a guarantee of happiness, but neither is poverty. I would prefer to be rich and unhappy than to try and be poor and unhappy,” he said. Packer acknowledged that his difficulties have often been linked to either the wrong medication or excessive stress at work, which he interprets as financial problems and business struggles.

Overall, Packer’s candid discussion sheds light on the personal tribulations that have shaped his life and his enduring efforts to manage his mental health while navigating the complexities of his high-profile relationships.