Mariah takes aim at Aussie mag: 'Real friends don't read Woman's Day'

Mariah Carey attends a special event for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on August 10, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. Photo / Getty

Mariah Carey has hit back at Australian tabloid mag Woman's Day, who were the first to report last week about rumours of her split with Aussie billionaire James Packer.

Carey posted a picture to Instagram overnight, posing with her friend and manager Stella Bulochnikov and captioning the pic: "#realfriends who don't read Woman's Day #wedontknowyou We love you #Australianlambs."

For those not fluent in Mariah speak, 'Australian lambs' are the Aussie battalion of her fanbase, christened her 'lambily', while that shady 'We don't know you' is a shout-out to a legendary line Mariah once delivered when asked about pop rival Jennifer Lopez.

Safe to say all Mariah wants for Christmas this year probably doesn't include a Woman's Day subscription.

Mariah Carey (R) and businessman James Packer attend the 27th Annual GLAAD Media Awards held at The Waldorf=Astoria on May 14, 2016. Photo / Getty

The Aussie mag reported that a source close to the couple last week had confirmed their much-publicised engagement was over, in news that was quickly picked up by the world's media.

As public speculation grew and rumours flew, Carey took the unusual step of issuing a public statement - not to confirm or deny a split, but to explain that the mega-rich couple were in the midst of a big fight.

"Mariah Carey and James Packer had a fight in Greece. They have not seen each other since," the statement read.

Mariah Carey and James Packer are seen on May 21, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. Photo / Getty

"The fight was not because of cheating allegations or excessive spending by Mariah.

James is one of the most successful businessmen in the world," it continued.

"They are trying to work it out but right now they are not sure if they will stay together. They are discussing it and plan to release a statement about their future."

No word yet on whether a split would compromise plans for what is sure to be the television event of the century: the eight-part reality series Mariah's World, which was to detail the preparations for the pair's extravagant wedding and is set to debut on E! on December 4.