Tate McRae and The Kid Laroi had a summer adventure that quickly turned into a hair-raising near-disaster, as the couple found themselves uncomfortably close to a whale during a Jet Ski mishap. McRae, the Canadian singer-songwriter known for hits like “You Broke Me First,” shared the wild story during her appearance on The Capital Evening Show with Jimmy Hill this week. The incident occurred when McRae and Laroi, who have been dating since earlier this year, decided to enjoy some time on the water. What began as a fun day riding around on a Jet Ski quickly became a frightening encounter, with McRae recalling how they both ended up in the water and dangerously close to a massive whale. “We were just having fun, and then out of nowhere, we fell off the Jet Ski,” McRae said, explaining that The Kid Laroi, whose real name is Charlton Kenneth Jeffrey Howard, was at the wheel. “It was like 10 feet away from us!” she exclaimed, describing how close the enormous creature came to the couple. “It was the big moment of our trip. I was like, ‘We just landed maybe in a whale’s mouth.’” McRae laughed about the incident on the show, but the experience had clearly rattled her. She admitted that the ocean already gives her the creeps, and this close call didn’t help calm her nerves about open water. “That’s so freaky to me! The ocean is just a very freaky thing to me,” she said. “You’re just in there and it’s black, and your toes are dangling. That’s so weird. I got that feeling when we fell in the water…You get tingly at the bottom of your feet. And you’re like, ‘We could die right now.’” The Canadian singer jokingly remarked that she should’ve been more cautious when it came to trusting Laroi’s driving abilities on the Jet Ski. “You know, you have trust in your boyfriend,” she said, hinting that maybe next time, she’ll think twice before hopping on a vehicle with him at the helm. “But also, I’m just, like, Jet Skis are the worst. They flip over like every two seconds.” Despite the scare, McRae spoke about the lighthearted side of their relationship, particularly during their recent joint performance at Madison Square Garden in August. The couple performed together on stage for the first time, and McRae admitted that both she and Laroi had avoided practicing together leading up to the show because they were too embarrassed to sing in front of each other.
“It was the first time we’d really sung in front of each other,” McRae revealed. “So we literally held it off till the day of, because we were like, ‘I’m not singing in front of you.’” The chemistry on stage, however, was palpable, as the duo performed with ease, much to the delight of fans. McRae and Laroi, who first sparked relationship rumors earlier this year, have been increasingly open about their romance in recent months. In April, The Kid Laroi confirmed their relationship at a concert, where he referred to McRae as his “girlfriend,” much to the excitement of fans. Since then, they’ve been spotted together at various public events, including the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards, where they walked the red carpet together, drawing significant attention from the media and their followers. Beyond their romantic relationship, both McRae and Laroi are enjoying flourishing careers in the music industry. McRae, who first gained fame through viral hits and her appearance on So You Think You Can Dance, has continued to build her reputation as a pop sensation. Her latest single, “Greedy,” has garnered significant attention, while her previous hit “You Broke Me First” established her as one of the most promising young talents in the industry. The Kid Laroi, meanwhile, has also seen meteoric success. The Australian rapper and singer-songwriter is best known for his global hit “Stay,” a collaboration with Justin Bieber that dominated the charts in 2021. His distinct style, blending rap and pop, has earned him critical acclaim and a dedicated fanbase. Laroi’s recent tour and music releases have only solidified his position as one of the most exciting young artists in contemporary music. Their relationship, however, has managed to stay largely out of the typical celebrity drama that can often accompany high-profile romances. Instead, McRae and Laroi seem focused on supporting each other’s careers while having fun together in their downtime—occasional whale-related mishaps notwithstanding.
As McRae joked with Jimmy Hill about her oceanic fears and her hesitation to trust Laroi with driving, it’s clear that the couple is able to find humor in even the scariest of situations. Though their Jet Ski adventure may have had a close call, McRae and Laroi are still going strong, balancing their personal and professional lives with a healthy dose of humor and mutual support. While their unexpected encounter with a whale could’ve easily taken a darker turn, McRae’s ability to laugh about it now shows just how strong her bond with Laroi has become, both on and off stage. And with their careers continuing to rise, fans can look forward to seeing more from this dynamic duo, whether in music, love, or potentially even more wild adventures in the future.