Rapper Nick Cannon and Songbird Supreme Mariah Carey are officially in the process of a divorce. Cannon filed papers to finally legalize the separation last December 12, days before Carey was about to make an appearance at the Rockerfeller Center Tree Lighting event.

The couple's last public appearance together was in February 2014 in an MTV event.

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In April 2014, there was widespread rumor that Carey cheated on him with rapper Nas. Cannon was quick to rebuff the speculation and expressed happiness in their marriage. He had given his wife a diamond bracelet encrusted with butterflies as a gift, according to E! Online.

In May 2014, Carey was reportedly humiliated when Cannon name-checked five celebrities he had slept with during a previous radio interview.  One of women on that list was said to be Kim Kardashian, TMZ reports.

In August 2014, there were speculations that they might be parted ways because they were spotted without their wedding bands.

This was bolstered by reports that Carey hired a bodyguard to watch over Cannon when he did a hosting stint in Las Vegas as reported by Page Six.

"No, he wouldn't do that to her. He chased her for years and finally got her, he couldn't believe it. He was really floored when Mariah gave him a shot," a source close to the couple told Hollywood Life about Cannon's alleged cheating issues.

Before Cannon's official announcement, the couple already went through a trial separation.

"He hasn't been staying at their home. He's been living in and out of hotels. They've been fighting a lot," a source told news site Page Six.

The rapper resorted to staying in hotels while Carey remained in their Manhattan apartment with their twins Moroccan and Monroe.

Though there was also word that the separation is still temporary since they are renovating their Tribeca loft apartment, some said this was just a cover-up for they "can't stand each other".

"Bottom line is they don't trust each other. When they spend time together, it's just bickering. Mariah seemed to give up on the marriage earlier this year.  And now he's checked out too," according to a source who revealed the couple's trouble in Life & Style magazine.

By the later part of August, Cannon finally confirmed the separation.

"There is trouble in paradise. We have been living in separate houses for a few months. My main focus is my kids," Cannon said.

In September 2014, Cannon was rumored to be dating Jasmin Sander, even though he and Carey are still technically married. 

Mariah seems to cope through this separation by turning to close friend Brett Ratner for a shoulder to cry on, according to Page Six.

In October 2014, while Carey sung at her Elusive Chanteuse show, she covered Billie Holiday's song "Don't Explain" and the audience noticed that Carey changed the lyrics of the song.

The original part of the song was "And I know you cheat, right or wrong it don't matter".  In Carey's version, it became, "I know you cheat, you mother******".

Around this time, a photo snapped of Cannon showed that he had changed his Mariah tattoo to a more complex design. He was also being linked to newly divorced Amber Rose, though TMZ said both have denied the rumors.

By December 2014, there were already plans for finally processing the divorce papers.  The 44 year old singer allegedly missed a pre-taping event because she needed to work out several settlements with her lawyer.

Carey reportedly spent five hours on the phone with her lawyer as they sorted out property issues as well as the custody and upkeep of the children.

"The custody battle is just heating up. Carey and Cannon can't agree on custody.  It is something they need to battle in court," according to In Touch Weekly.

Both Cannon and Carey tried to remain amicable when their children were around, even spending Thanksgiving together.  

Carey suffered severe bouts of insomnia because of her frustration that she no longer has the happy family she wanted, Glamour Magazine reports.

The singer also broke into tears while performing at Beacon Theatre in New York.

One factor that contributed to the separation was Carey's professional life, according to a close source. 

Cannon had defended Carey by posting through social media that he will always love Carey, while pointing out that she is a good mother to his kids. He also expressed disinterest in dating anyone at the moment.

As for Carey, she is on her way to Vegas for a residency at Caesars Palace.

TagsNick Cannon, Mariah Carey