Tate McRae and Jack Hughes: Everything We Know About the Rumored Romance
The moment Jack Hughes scored the overtime gold medal goal for Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, two things went viral simultaneously — his toothless smile and the name Tate McRae. The Canadian pop star and the New Jersey Devils hockey hero have been romantically linked since late 2025, and Hughes' Olympic heroics have turned a simmering rumor into one of the most-talked-about celebrity pairings of the moment.
How the Jack Hughes and Tate McRae Rumors Started
The rumors began on November 21, 2025, after the two were seen having dinner at Anton's in New York City's West Village. McRae was also spotted at Hughes' New Jersey Devils game in December following his return from a thumb injury. Most importantly, the pair was then photographed walking together in New York City the following day.
Quinn Hughes, Jack's older brother and Team USA's captain, liked an Instagram post suggesting the two could be a couple — a small but noted social media signal that fans have read significant meaning into.
Neither Jack Hughes nor Tate McRae has confirmed or denied the relationship. Neither of their representatives has commented publicly.
The Olympics and the Silence That Became a Story
McRae posted a promotional video to her Instagram on February 3, 2026 for NBC's coverage of the Olympics ahead of the Milan Cortina Winter Games. The collaboration with the broadcast network sparked speculation that McRae might travel to Italy to watch Hughes compete. A week before the gold medal game, McRae posted a photo from Paris, France — a neighboring country to Italy — which further fueled fan theories.
McRae's absence from social media throughout the men's ice hockey tournament further fueled speculation that she may have been in Italy supporting Hughes, or that her congratulations for his Olympic win were sent privately.
Canada vs. USA — and Tate McRae Gets Caught in the Middle
When Hughes' overtime winner beat Canada 2-1 on Sunday, McRae started trending on X before the celebration on the ice even finished. Before the tournament, McRae had appeared in an NBC promotional video for the Milan Cortina Olympics expressing enthusiasm for Team USA — a move that drew immediate criticism from Canadian fans.
Reactions ranged from playful to pointed. "It's all Tate McRae's fault," one fan posted on X. "She told Jack all of our secrets." Some Canadians called for a boycott of her music entirely. McRae responded to the controversy by saying "Y'all know I'm Canada down."
Who Is Tate McRae?
| Fast Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Tate McRae |
| Age | 22 |
| Hometown | Calgary, Alberta, Canada |
| Label | RCA Records (signed at 16) |
| Latest Album | So Close to What — No. 1 on Billboard 200, 2025 |
| Known For | "Greedy," "Exes," "Just Keep Watching" |
| Previous Relationship | The Kid LAROI (split mid-2025); Cole Sillinger (2021–2023) |
McRae began dance training at age 6, eventually putting in 30 hours a week. She posted her first video on YouTube at age 7, launched a YouTube channel called "Create With Tate" at 15, and caught the attention of RCA Records shortly after.
Tate's most recent confirmed relationship was with The Kid LAROI. The two split sometime in mid-2025 after about a year of dating. She told Rolling Stone in December 2025 that seeing fan speculation about their breakup was "really scary and overwhelming."
Where Things Stand Now
McRae has since broken her social media silence, posting a selfie with a pink heart emoji. Some observers read a second, partially hidden emoji blended into her hair as a subtle message to fans — though nothing has been confirmed.
The confirmed facts remain these: Hughes and McRae were photographed together in New York City in November, McRae attended his Devils game in December, and neither has confirmed or denied a romantic relationship. Whether they are together, how serious it is, and what McRae actually thinks about overtime golden goals in Milan remain unanswered questions.
