Mariah Carey opens up about engagement to James Packer: 'He's an exceptional person'

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

"I'm feeling fantastic, better than ever," Carey, 45, gushed. "I am so grateful for my life. I have love, laughter and life, and everything."

WATCH: Mariah Carey Is Engaged to Billionaire James Packer

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

Getty

"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

The singer also gushed about her husband-to-be, whom she describes 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," Carey laughed, adding that there's a lot of planning to be done, even though the couple plans to keep the wedding 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 was married to actor and comedian Nick Cannon from 2008-2014, with whom she shares 4-year-old fraternal twins, Monroe and Moroccan.

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

Related: Celebrity weddings of 2015