Rising pop sensation Tate McRae finds herself at the centre of fresh dating speculation, this time linking her to New Jersey Devils hockey star Jack Hughes. The rumours ignited after the two were seen together at a dinner in New York City, sending fans into a frenzy of analysis.
The Dinner That Started It All
The speculation began when McRae and Hughes were spotted having a meal at Anton's, a popular restaurant in Manhattan's West Village. Eyewitness accounts described the meeting as casual, not overtly romantic. Hughes, a top centre for the Devils, is currently recovering from hand surgery and has been off the ice for nearly two months. McRae, meanwhile, is riding a wave of career success with a packed schedule of performances and press engagements. Their interaction, set against this backdrop, could easily have been a simple crossing of paths between two young celebrities in a familiar New York hotspot.
An Artistic Response to the Rumour Mill
Instead of issuing a formal statement or a playful denial on social media, Tate McRae chose a method befitting an artist. Shortly after the dinner news broke, she posted a selfie on Instagram featuring her song 'NOBODY'S GIRL'. The track, released on November 21, features lyrics that are hard to ignore in this context: "Got my career on my mind / Money drop in New York City / Look in the mirror, and I'm like 'So hot, so smart, so witty.'" By leaving the post caption-free, McRae let the music speak for itself, a move fans interpreted as a strategic and pointed message about her priorities.
McRae's Deep Ties to the Hockey World
This is not Tate McRae's first connection to the National Hockey League. She was previously in a relationship with Columbus Blue Jackets forward Cole Sillinger, who is a known on-ice rival of Jack Hughes. That relationship ended in 2023. Sillinger had previously addressed cheating rumours surrounding their split, calling them "All false my guy." McRae herself once humorously referenced Sillinger's past admiration for her, stating she could "forever hold this over you 'til the day you die, that I was your celebrity crush." This history adds another layer of intrigue to the current rumours.
As of now, both Tate McRae and Jack Hughes have maintained public silence on the nature of their relationship. This silence, ironically, has only amplified public curiosity. However, McRae's decision to communicate through her art rather than a direct comment sends a powerful signal. Whether they are friends, something more, or just two people who shared a meal, McRae's consistent message appears to be that her soaring music career is her primary focus, and everything else is secondary.
