Singer Mariah Carey is said to be "heartbroken" by her split from husband Nick Cannon.

Cannon, the host of "America's Got Talent" has confirmed he and Carey have been living apart "for a few months" and friends blame his heavy work load for the separation, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

"She is heartbroken. This has been going on for months. It has a lot to do with Nick's career choices. He does not have to work, but he's been throwing himself into gigs and projects," said a source.

"She has tried and tried to get him to stay home more, but he always uses work as an excuse.

"When she points out that, financially, he does not need to be working as much as he does, it p***** him off and pushes him farther away. He hates when people assume he's living off her money," added the source.

The have four-year-old twins Moroccan and Monroe together and if they do make the split permanent, Carey is expected to base herself in New York, while Cannon wants to be here.

The source added: "If and when they split (for good), she intends to stay in NYC with the kids. She will fight for the kids. She is totally focused on them."