Mariah Carey Opens Up About Engagement to James Packer: 'He's an Exceptional Person'

Mariah Carey opened up about her engagement to businessman James Packer for the first time in an interview with E! News on Friday, gushing about the proposal and her now-fiance, whom she calls "an exceptional person."

"I'm feeling fantastic, better than ever," she said. "I am so grateful for my life. I have love, laughter and life, and everything."

WATCH: Mariah Carey Is Engaged to Billionaire James Packer

The 45-year-old singer described Packer's proposal, which took place in her New York hometown on Jan. 21, as "very romantic." She also couldn't help but marvel over the epic 35-carat diamond ring that the Australian billionaire gave her when he popped the question.

"It's so heavy I can't lift my arm up!" she joked. "It's a nice chunk."

WATCH: See Mariah Carey's Massively Gorgeous 35-Carat Engagement Ring From James Packer

Carey went on to describe her husband-to-be as “generous” and "good-hearted." "He's an exceptional person and really...it gets more romantic by the day, so it's very sweet," she said of Packer, 48. "He's young at heart, but also serious. And I mean that in the best way."

So, when will the couple be walking down the aisle?

"If everything works out, it will be somewhat soon,"she laughed, adding that there's a lot of planning to be done.

Carey does know, however, that she wants to keep the ceremony somewhat intimate. "We are not doing a big wedding because he did two big weddings, and it's kind of like, 'I've done a big wedding [too]'... We would rather make it beautiful but humble."

PHOTOS: Size Does Matter: The Biggest and Best Celebrity Engagement Rings

"I am very excited about the dress, but I don't want to talk about it yet, as I have to have my first fitting,” she added.

It will be the third marriage for Packer, who has three children from his marriage to Australian model and singer Erica Baxter. Carey has been married twice before, to music executive Tommy Mottola from 1993 to 1998 and to actor and comedian Nick Cannon from 2008 to 2014. The "We Belong Together" singer shares 4-year-old fraternal twins, Monroe and Moroccan, with Cannon.

WATCH: Mariah Carey and James Packer Walk First Red Carpet Since Getting Engaged

Mariah Carey and James Packer Hit Their First Red Carpet Since Engagement, and She Wore the Rock!

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