Tate McRae and NHL Star Jack Hughes Quietly Split as Contradictory Breakup Rumors Fly and “Red Flags” Emerge.
NEW YORK — It appears to be all over before it ever officially began. Pop superstar Tate McRae and New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes have officially called it quits, ending their high-profile, quiet romance in a breakup that seems colder than an NHL ice rink.
The 23-year-old “Exes” hitmaker and the 25-year-old hockey prodigy have reportedly gone their separate ways after months of speculation surrounding their low-key relationship.
However, while both camps confirm the split, sources on opposing sides are offering vastly different narratives regarding who actually pulled the plug and why the whirlwind courtship came to a sudden halt.
“Red Flags” vs. Walking Away: Conflicting Breakup Stories Emerge
According to reports, the NHL star has been telling friends that he was the one to end things before the pair ever had the opportunity to publicly confirm their romance to the media.
An insider close to the athlete claimed that Hughes ultimately decided to walk away after he began noticing “red flags” as the relationship progressed.
The source added that the hockey player has already moved on from the situation and has quietly begun dating other people in his circle.
Conversely, those in McRae’s inner circle tell a completely different story.
Sources close to the Canadian singer-songwriter firmly insist that it was McRae who ended the romance, opting to cut ties with the professional athlete after evaluating where their lives were headed.
Representatives for both McRae and Hughes have declined to comment publicly on the details of the split.
From DMs to Courtside Games: A Timeline of the Low-Key Romance
The former couple first sparked romance rumors late last year when eagle-eyed fans spotted them stepping out together across New York City on multiple occasions.
Hughes reportedly initiated contact with the pop singer by sliding into her Instagram direct messages, which eventually led to casual dates in Manhattan.
The rumors reached a fever pitch last winter when spies caught the duo “looking flirty” while sharing an intimate dinner at Anton’s, a popular dining spot in the West Village.
Shortly thereafter, McRae became a regular fixture in the stands at Prudential Center, passionately cheering Hughes on during his home games with the New Jersey Devils.
By March, sources confirmed that the pair had officially taken their casual romance to the next level. An insider revealed:
“They started casually seeing each other late last year, so it’s still new, but they are exclusively seeing each other. Tate thinks Jack is a really cool guy and they have been having a lot of fun together. She has been so supportive of his career and has been loving going to the games and cheering him on.”
Despite their growing closeness, both stars maintained a strict level of privacy, never making their relationship “Instagram official” or walking a red carpet together before the quiet fallout.
Speculation regarding a rift between the pair hit a high note when public scrutiny surrounding Hughes’ political associations spilled over onto McRae’s personal brand.
The controversy stemmed back to February, when Hughes and his Team USA teammates received a congratulatory phone call from President Donald Trump following their gold-medal victory at the Winter Olympics.
During the call, the team drew public backlash after laughing at a controversial joke made by the president that disparaged the U.S. women’s hockey team—who had also secured a gold medal at the games.
The incident led online critics to speculate whether McRae harbored “MAGA supporter” sympathies by association, prompting fans to demand clarity on her political stance.
Addressing the speculation in a recent profile, McRae shut down political labels and chose instead to let her philanthropic actions define her character:
“I like to say my piece through organizations I support and the environment that I have on tour. I think it’s pretty obvious what kind of person I am and the things I support. And I hope that my fans can see that through the things that I’m putting my energy towards.”
The story highlighted that a portion of the profits from McRae’s recent tour were donated directly to The Trevor Project—a non-profit organization focused on LGBTQ+ youth suicide prevention—as well as the Global Fund for Women.
Moving Forward: McRae Celebrates Career Milestones
While her personal life may be making headlines, McRae’s professional momentum shows zero signs of slowing down.
The singer recently made a triumphant public appearance at a high-profile industry event in Los Angeles, proving her focus remains squarely on her booming music career.
The Hollywood trade presented McRae with the prestigious Triple Threat Award during their annual Power of Young Hollywood celebration, honoring her exceptional achievements across singing, songwriting, and dance.
With a major award now under her belt and a world tour behind her, McRae appears ready to close the chapter on her hockey-star romance and step into her next era entirely on her own terms.