Mariah Carey wants Nas to set her up on a date. The Beautiful hitmaker, whose estranged husband Nick Cannon recently confirmed they have been separated for several months, is reportedly eager to start dating again and wants her close friend to play matchmaker.

A source told US Weekly magazine: "[She] texted Nas, wondering if he had any friends she could go out with, or even just hook up with. But Nas is nervous to introduce her to anyone."

The star has been friends with the Nasty rapper for more than a decade and they recently collaborated on the song Dedicated for the 44-year-old singer's latest album, Me. I am Mariah ... The Elusive Chanteuse.

Meanwhile, America's Got Talent host Nick has formed a close bond with Mariah's former manager Randy Jackson.

The 34-year-old star was spotted having dinner with the former American Idol judge and an unidentified blonde woman at Matsuhisa in Beverly Hills late last month.

Nick, who has three-year-old twins Monroe and Moroccan with Mariah, stayed behind to chat with the mystery woman afterwards.

An eyewitness said: "After Randy left, [they] kept chatting and laughing. Nick had a big smile on his face."