Is Nick Mariah's Hubby or Helping Hand?

When Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon surprised the world last April with their quickie romance and wedding, many speculated on just why the couple rushed to the altar. But judging by the pair's behavior at the Sundance Film Festival and yesterday's inauguration festivities, it might just be that the superstar liked the idea of having a helping hand by her side at all times.

At Tuesday morning's swearing-in ceremony for new president Barack Obama, onlookers tell OK! that it was hard to tell Mimi's hubby from her security detail as they made their way through the crowd.

"Nick looked more like an assistant than her husband," says an onlooker. "He walked next to her, making sure that she was okay. He wouldn't leave her side."

This comes after several days for the couple at the snowy Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, where they were similarly inseparable.

"Everywhere Mariah went, there was Nick," one Sundance source tells OK!. "He was opening doors for her, carrying things for her." 

Of course, none of this is to imply there's any marital discord between the pair. "They looked great together and very happy to be at the inauguration," the D.C. witness tells OK!.