The Cole Sillinger Saga: Inside Tate McRae's Breakup And The Viral Cheating Meme Fallout

The relationship between pop sensation Tate McRae and NHL star Cole Sillinger remains a major point of fascination for fans, even over two years after their split. As of December 2025, the conversation around the former couple continues to resurface, largely due to the viral fallout from their 2023 breakup, which included a highly publicized—and vehemently denied—cheating scandal that swept across social media and the sports world. This deep dive explores the timeline of their romance, the full biography of the hockey player who captured the singer's heart, and the dramatic aftermath that still defines their public narrative.

The story of Tate McRae and Cole Sillinger is a classic tale of a pop-culture-meets-sports romance that ended abruptly, leaving behind a trail of rumors and speculation. While Tate McRae has since moved on to new music and new relationships, including her current romance with The Kid Laroi, the chapter with the Columbus Blue Jackets center is an essential piece of her dating history and a key influence on her musical journey.

Cole Sillinger: Full Biography and Career Profile

Cole Sillinger, the "Cole" in the Tate McRae saga, is a rising star in the National Hockey League (NHL) with a notable hockey lineage. Born into a professional sports family, his career has been on an upward trajectory, independent of his high-profile dating life.

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• Full Name: Cole Sillinger
• Date of Birth: May 16, 2003
• Place of Birth: Columbus, Ohio, USA
• Nationality: American-born Canadian
• Position: Center / Left Wing
• NHL Team: Columbus Blue Jackets (CBJ)
• Draft: Selected 12th overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2021 NHL Draft.
• Family Background: Cole is the son of former NHL player Mike Sillinger, who played for 12 different NHL teams over a 17-season career, logging over 1,000 games. His mother is Karla Sillinger. Cole is the youngest of three sons.
• Career Highlights: Sillinger made the Blue Jackets roster right out of the draft at age 18, making him one of the youngest players in the NHL at the time. He is known for his powerful shot and strong two-way game.

Sillinger's connection to the Columbus Blue Jackets is particularly strong, as he was born in the city while his father, Mike Sillinger, was playing for the team. This hometown connection made his drafting in 2021 a storybook moment for the Sillinger family and the CBJ fanbase.

Timeline of Tate McRae and Cole Sillinger’s Relationship

The relationship between the Canadian singer-songwriter and the American-Canadian hockey player was a whirlwind romance that captured the attention of both pop culture and NHL fans. Their timeline, though brief, was intense and highly public.

The Initial Spark (2022)

Tate McRae and Cole Sillinger were first linked in the spring of 2022. While the exact moment they met remains private, their relationship became public knowledge around May 2022.

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McRae, a Calgary native, and Sillinger, a Columbus Blue Jackets player, represented a transatlantic pairing, with McRae often traveling for her music career and Sillinger focused on his demanding NHL schedule. Despite the distance, the pair were seen together at various events, and McRae even spoke about the relationship on the red carpet at the VMAs, confirming their status.

The Abrupt Split (Early 2023)

By early 2023, the young couple had quietly separated. Sources indicate the relationship ended around February 2023.

Neither Tate McRae nor Cole Sillinger offered a public statement detailing the reason for their breakup, which is common for young celebrities who prefer to keep their personal lives private. However, the silence quickly gave way to fan speculation, setting the stage for the dramatic social media fallout that would follow.

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The Infidelity Rumors and Cole's Public Denial

The breakup story escalated significantly when rumors of infidelity began circulating online. This speculation reached a fever pitch during the NHL All-Star Weekend, where a viral meme directly accused Cole Sillinger of cheating on the pop star.

The Viral Meme and Fan Reaction

A meme account posted a highly circulated image featuring both Sillinger and McRae with text suggesting that the hockey player had "dated out of his league" and subsequently cheated on the singer. The post quickly went viral, leading to an onslaught of comments and accusations directed at Sillinger.

The meme’s popularity was fueled by the stark contrast between the two young stars—McRae's rapidly ascending global pop career with hits like "You Broke Me First" and "Greedy," and Sillinger's demanding professional hockey life. Fans quickly sided with McRae, labeling Sillinger’s alleged actions as "the greatest fumble of a female."

Cole Sillinger Clears the Air

Due to the intense public scrutiny and the widespread nature of the cheating allegations, Cole Sillinger took the rare step of publicly addressing the rumors. He vehemently denied the claims of infidelity.

While Sillinger’s denial aimed to clear his name, the damage to the relationship's narrative had already been done in the court of public opinion. The incident provided a real-life backdrop to the themes of heartbreak and betrayal that often feature in McRae’s music, leading many fans to speculate that her subsequent songs were inspired by the breakup.

The Aftermath: Tate McRae's Music and New Relationships

Following the split from Cole Sillinger, Tate McRae’s career continued to skyrocket, and her dating life remained a hot topic. Her musical output, particularly the themes on her highly anticipated 2025 album So Close to What and her 2023 album Think Later, were frequently analyzed for clues about her past relationships.

The Kid Laroi and Jack Hughes

In the wake of the Sillinger breakup, McRae was linked to Australian rapper and singer The Kid Laroi. Their relationship became public, with the musical power couple often seen together.

Additionally, McRae found herself at the center of new NHL-related rumors, this time involving New Jersey Devils star Jack Hughes. The speculation intensified after a dinner outing in New York. Interestingly, Hughes is a known competitive rival of Cole Sillinger, adding another layer of drama to McRae’s NHL connections. McRae, however, subtly shut down the Jack Hughes romance rumors, maintaining focus on her career.

The ongoing interest in "Tate McRae and Cole" serves as a reminder of how quickly a private celebrity relationship can become a public spectacle. While the two have clearly moved on—Sillinger continuing his career with the Columbus Blue Jackets and McRae dominating the global pop charts—the brief, dramatic chapter of their romance remains a significant, if short-lived, part of both their public histories.