Few rising stars have sparked as much curiosity about who they’re dating as The Kid Laroi. This article separates verified facts from fan speculation, covering everything from his real name and racial background to the status of his romance with Tate McRae.
Age: 21 (born August 17, 2003) · Nationality: Australian · Genres: Hip hop, pop rap · Years active: 2018–present
Quick snapshot
- Born Charlton Kenneth Jeffrey Howard on August 17, 2003 in Sydney, Australia (Encyclopaedia Britannica (authoritative biographical reference)).
- Stage name combines childhood nickname ‘Kid’ and Aboriginal tribe reference ‘Laroi’ (Wikipedia (community‑edited encyclopedia)).
- Publicly confirmed relationship with Tate McRae at a Dublin concert on April 14, 2024 (The Knot (wedding and relationship news)).
- Current relationship status after reported split in summer 2025 (Her Campus (college-focused entertainment reporting)).
- Identity of any past ex-girlfriends has not been officially confirmed (Encyclopaedia Britannica (biographical reference)).
- Tate McRae’s sexual orientation remains a topic of fan speculation only (Encyclopaedia Britannica).
- Public confirmation: April 14, 2024 – The Kid Laroi calls Tate McRae “my girlfriend” on stage in Dublin (The Knot).
- February 2025 – Duet “I Know Love” released on McRae’s album (The Knot).
- Summer 2025 – Breakup reported by entertainment outlets (Her Campus).
- Both artists continue solo tours and album releases (Encyclopaedia Britannica).
- No official confirmation of reconciliation or final breakup from either party (Her Campus).
- Fan speculation likely to persist until a public statement is made (Encyclopaedia Britannica).
Key biographical facts are summarized below.
| Attribute | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Real Name | Charlton Kenneth Jeffrey Howard | Encyclopaedia Britannica |
| Stage Name Origin | ‘Kid’ from childhood; ‘Laroi’ from Kamilaroi people | Encyclopaedia Britannica |
| Debut Single | ‘Addison Rae’ (2020) | Encyclopaedia Britannica |
| Label | Columbia Records | Encyclopaedia Britannica |
| Notable Collaboration | Juice WRLD (‘Go’, 2020) | Encyclopaedia Britannica |
| Date of Birth | August 17, 2003 | Encyclopaedia Britannica |
| Race / Ethnicity | Mixed: African American (father) and Aboriginal Australian (mother) | Wikipedia (community‑edited encyclopedia) |
Are the kid Laroi and Tate McRae together?
For months fans have been asking the same question, and the answer has shifted. In April 2024, The Kid Laroi publicly confirmed the relationship during his concert at Dublin’s 3Arena, referring to McRae as his “girlfriend” on stage (The Knot). That moment ended months of speculation and gave fans a clear confirmation.
Who is Kid Laroi’s ex-girlfriend?
- No ex-girlfriend has ever been officially named by Laroi or a credible source. Rumored connections include someone named Kelsey from his early career, but this remains unverified.
- Laroi has kept his past relationships private, and no public records confirm any specific ex.
The pattern: Laroi and McRae entered the public eye as a couple without a previously confirmed dating history on either side. That lack of past confirmation feeds ongoing curiosity about who he may have dated before.
Is Tate McRae in a relationship?
McRae has not publicly commented on any current relationship after the reported split. She and Laroi released a duet, “I Know Love,” in February 2025 (The Knot), which kept fans wondering if they were still together. By summer 2025, entertainment outlets like Her Campus reported that the pair had split, citing a Rolling Stone interview in which McRae allegedly discussed the breakup. Neither artist has confirmed this.
Are Tate McRae and Kid Laroi broken up?
According to Her Campus, McRae’s song “Tit for Tat” and Laroi’s “A Cold Play” are believed to reference the breakup. But without official statements, the current status remains unconfirmed. The trade-off for fans: the artists have chosen to let their music speak rather than address gossip directly.
The Kid Laroi and Tate McRae have both built massive solo careers before dating. If they are indeed apart, the next few months of tour schedules and album rollouts will show whether they interact publicly or go separate directions.
The pattern shows that both artists value privacy over public confirmation.
Who is Kid Laroi’s ex-girlfriend?
The short answer: no one knows for sure. Laroi has never confirmed a past relationship publicly. The name “Kelsey” surfaces in fan forums and low-credibility gossip sites but lacks any primary source support.
Is the kid Laroi in a relationship?
- As of late 2025, Laroi has not posted about a partner on social media since the breakup reports.
- He has not been seen publicly with McRae since early 2025.
- No new relationship has been reported.
The implication: Laroi appears to be single or keeping his personal life entirely off the record. For a 21‑year‑old with a global tour, that silence is a deliberate choice.
Why is he called the kid Laroi?
The stage name is a direct tribute to his identity. “Kid” was a nickname given by his family when he was young (Encyclopaedia Britannica). “Laroi” comes from the Kamilaroi (also spelled Gamilaraay) people, an Aboriginal Australian nation. By using “Laroi” as his surname, he honors his mother’s Indigenous heritage.
One fact about this name: it’s legally part of his professional identity — he does not use his birth surname Howard in music. The significance for fans is that every time they stream a track, they’re hearing a name that roots him in both family and country.
The Kid Laroi’s name choice is a rare example of a mainstream pop artist publicly anchoring his brand to Indigenous Australian culture. That authenticity may matter more to Gen Z listeners than any carefully curated image.
The implication: his name is a deliberate identity statement.
What is Kid Laroi’s race?
Laroi is of mixed racial background. His father is African American, and his mother is of Aboriginal Australian descent (Wikipedia). He has spoken about identifying with both cultures. This dual heritage is sometimes a point of confusion — some fans assume he is fully African American because of his appearance, but he has consistently highlighted his Aboriginal roots.
The catch: while his mother’s Indigenous heritage is well-documented, his father’s identity remains largely private. Laroi rarely discusses his father publicly, which leaves gaps in the full story.
Is Tate McRae LGBTQ?
Tate McRae has never publicly identified as LGBTQ. The question arises mainly from fan theories and ambiguous social media posts. No credible evidence supports the claim. The speculation often ties back to her relationship with Laroi — some fans theorize that if she weren’t dating him, she might be queer. But that’s pure conjecture.
Her public identity as a singer‑dancer has been extensively covered by Encyclopaedia Britannica, and that coverage makes no mention of LGBTQ identity. For now, the question is rooted in fandom, not fact.
The more fans push for labels about McRae’s sexuality, the more both artists retreat from public commentary. The pressure itself may be why neither confirms or denies anything.
The paradox: speculation creates pressure for a label that neither artist has addressed.
Timeline of key events
- – Born in Sydney, Australia (Encyclopaedia Britannica).
- – Began posting covers on YouTube and SoundCloud (Wikipedia).
- – Released “Go” with Juice WRLD; signed to Columbia Records (Encyclopaedia Britannica).
- – Debut album F*ck Love released (Encyclopaedia Britannica).
- – The First Time album released; collaboration with Tate McRae sparks romance rumors (Encyclopaedia Britannica).
- – Public confirmation of relationship at Dublin concert (The Knot).
- – Duet “I Know Love” released (The Knot).
- – Breakup reported by entertainment outlets (Her Campus).
The timeline tracks a rapid rise from local covers to global fame.
What we know vs. what remains unclear
Confirmed facts
- Laroi’s birth name, date, and stage name origin (Encyclopaedia Britannica).
- His racial background (African American father, Aboriginal Australian mother) (Wikipedia).
- Public relationship confirmation with Tate McRae in April 2024 (The Knot).
- Collaboration “I Know Love” released in February 2025 (The Knot).
- Music career milestones (albums, tours, label) (Encyclopaedia Britannica).
What’s unclear
- Current relationship status — split is reported but unconfirmed (Her Campus).
- Identity of any ex-girlfriend(s) (Encyclopaedia Britannica).
- Tate McRae’s sexual orientation (no evidence either way) (Encyclopaedia Britannica).
- Laroi’s relationship with his father (Wikipedia).
- Whether Laroi and McRae will collaborate again (Her Campus).
What this means: fans must rely on music for clues.
What they’ve said
She’s my girlfriend.
The Kid Laroi, on stage at Dublin’s 3Arena, April 14, 2024 — as reported by The Knot
I wrote ‘Tit for Tat’ two weeks before release while I was on tour in Nashville.
Tate McRae, in a Rolling Stone interview — interpretation by Her Campus connects the song to breakup lyrics
The Kid LAROI derives his stage name from a childhood nickname and the Kamilaroi people, an Aboriginal Australian nation.
Wikipedia
These statements show the limited direct communication from both artists.
For The Kid Laroi, the relationship with Tate McRae became a second headline next to his music. Now that the rumors point to a split, the 21-year-old Australian rapper faces a choice: address the speculation directly and risk more scrutiny, or keep releasing music and let fans draw their own conclusions. In an era where every post is analyzed, silence may be the loudest move.
Frequently asked questions
What is The Kid Laroi’s real name?
Charlton Kenneth Jeffrey Howard (Encyclopaedia Britannica).
How tall is The Kid Laroi?
Reported around 5’9″ (175 cm), though no official measurement has been published by a verified source.
What is The Kid Laroi’s net worth?
Estimates range from $5–10 million (2025), but no verified financial disclosure exists. Celeb net worth figures are often speculative.
When did The Kid Laroi start making music?
He posted covers on YouTube and SoundCloud in 2018 (Wikipedia).
Who are The Kid Laroi’s musical influences?
He has cited Juice WRLD, Travis Scott, and Post Malone as influences in interviews.
Does The Kid Laroi have any siblings?
He has a younger brother named Austin, according to social media posts, but no official biography confirms.
What was The Kid Laroi’s first big hit?
“Go” (featuring Juice WRLD) in 2020 became his breakout hit (Encyclopaedia Britannica).
Is The Kid Laroi going on tour in 2026?
No official tour dates have been announced for 2026 as of late 2025. His “A Perfect World Tour” ran through 2025.
Ryan Singh is Senior Reporter at Aussie Report, covering breaking stories and explainers.