The New Jersey Devils have built their future around Jack Hughes, whose rise as one of the NHL’s premier young stars has kept him in the spotlight on and off the ice.
Naturally, that spotlight has followed everywhere he goes, and when you’re a gold medalist on Team USA being pictured with pop star Tate McRae, the spotlight is bound to shine bright.
Tate McRae Responds to Jack Hughes Dating Rumors
McRae addressed the ongoing rumors involving Devils alternate captain Jack Hughes during a recent cover interview with Variety, but stopped well short of confirming anything about their personal lives.
When asked whether she was still “nobody’s girl,” referencing her deluxe track NOBODY’S GIRL, McRae laughed before responding, “I am. That’s private.”
The answer made it clear she had no intention of discussing her relationship status, even as speculation surrounding her and Hughes continues to grow.
McRae expanded on that approach by explaining why she prefers to keep her personal life away from public attention. “I try to keep my relationships as sacred and private as possible,” she said, stressing that protecting those closest to her remains a priority despite constant public interest.
She also acknowledged that rumors are unavoidable but underlined why she refuses to let them dictate her mindset. “The outside noise, I can’t do anything about that. Focusing my energy on something that I can’t control, it just puts me in a bad mood,” McRae said.
Jack Hughes with Tate Mcrae in NYC via deuxmoi pic.twitter.com/hvM6ZdWX9D
— 🏒 (@jhughupdates) December 22, 2025
Rather than responding to every headline, she said she chooses to focus on the people who matter most, adding that she values having a supportive circle around her.
Interest in Hughes and McRae first surfaced in late 2025 after the pair were reportedly seen having dinner together at Anton’s in New York City’s West Village. The speculation intensified the following month when McRae attended a Devils game from a suite during Hughes’ return from injury, and the two were later photographed walking together through Manhattan.
Reports later claimed Hughes initially connected with the singer through Instagram before the friendship developed into something more. By early 2026, several outlets reported they were exclusively dating, though neither Hughes nor McRae publicly confirmed those reports.
The rumors continued to gain traction throughout the year as both attended Michael Rubin’s White Party in the Hamptons during the summer. Despite a series of public sightings, McRae’s latest comments suggest she has no plans to change how she approaches questions about her personal life.
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While Hughes shifts his focus to leading New Jersey to the playoffs after his memorable Olympic gold-medal performance with Team USA, McRae appears equally committed to keeping any discussion of her private relationships separate from her public career.
