Tate McRae recently shared her thoughts on the public’s perception of her relationship with The Kid LAROI in a candid cover story with Rolling Stone. The 22-year-old pop star expressed how overwhelming and scary it has been to navigate the spotlight surrounding her romance, which has been magnified by the scrutiny of fans and the media. “I would never talk that way, even about my friends’ lives. I didn’t realize how much it would affect me, the public knowing my private life — because no one knows the full story of anything, ever,” McRae remarked.
The “Tit for Tat” artist articulated her frustration with how people often exaggerate situations, stating, “I hate people painting a situation that’s worse than it is.” McRae recognized that both she and The Kid LAROI, also 22, use music as a means of expression, saying, “What I’ve had to realize is that he’s going to write songs and I’m going to write songs, and that’s our way of expressing ourselves. That’s our art, that’s our job. And once it’s out there, it’s not mine anymore.”
In her Rolling Stone interview, she confirmed that her breakup with The Kid LAROI occurred in June. This came shortly after the release of her song “Tit for Tat,” which fans speculated to be a response to The Kid LAROI’s song “A Cold Play,” released the same month. The Kid LAROI’s lyrics, “Fix you, I wish I could,” contrasted sharply with McRae’s more pointed line, “Fix your f—in’ self.”
The pair’s romance initially ignited rumors in January 2024 when McRae shared a mirror selfie on Instagram, which The Kid LAROI commented on with a sunglasses emoji. They were seen together multiple times in the following months, including a romantic outing in Los Angeles and at the 2024 NHL All-Star Game in Toronto. The Kid LAROI further appeared to confirm their relationship during a concert, indicating that his “girlfriend” was attending.
However, by July, signs pointed to their split when The Kid LAROI seemed to acknowledge their breakup in a social media post. In response to accusations regarding his team allegedly slandering McRae, he clarified that he did not condone such behavior and was working to address it.
As McRae confronts the emotional toll of public scrutiny, she remains focused on her music and personal growth. Despite the challenges, her ability to articulate her feelings through her art reflects a mature understanding of navigating fame and relationships in the public eye.