Brett Ratner Denies Playing Matchmaker Newly Engaged Pal Mariah Carey James Packer

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• published: 09 Mar 2016
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In January Mariah Carey and Australian billionaire James Packer announced their engagement. And speaking with People at the Venice Family Clinic's Silver Circle Gala in Beverly Hills on Monday, their mutual friend Brett Ratner gave a look at the couple's sweet love story.  The 46-year-old revealed that the two were friends first, sharing: 'It organically happened, which is such a beautiful thing.' He explained that the two were around each other a lot, seeing as he is good friends with Mariah and James is his business partner. The Revenant producer also gushed about his two friends, saying that they 'are both really generous and kind people.' 'They hung out as friends first so that was a beautiful thing and beautiful way to get together with somebody,' he said, adding: 'And I'm happy to be in the middle of it!' Mariah first met James in 2014, but the hitmaker and billionaire businessman did not begin dating until last summer. The Grammy winner was previously married to Nick Cannon, with whom she shares four-year-old twins Monroe and Moroccan. And James announced his split from previous wife Erica in 2013, with whom he shares Indigo, aged seven, Jackson, aged six, and Emmanuelle, aged three. Meanwhile, Brett continued to gush about close pal Mariah while at the gala, sharing that she's been a friend for 'so, so many years.' 'I'm not allowed to say how many because that will age us,' 'But I call her my Aries sister because we're born like a day apart. And she's such a great friend. I directed most of her music videos, at least the best ones.' The Tower Heist director said he hoped to be at Mariah and James' wedding, where he said he knows she will look 'gorgeous,' joking: 'she's done it once or twice so I think she's had some experience.' Read More: http://goo.gl/qU6uhi