Singer Tate McRae has addressed speculation surrounding potential political affiliations, particularly in light of her collaboration with country artist Morgan Wallen and reported associations with NHL player Jack Hughes.

McRae joined forces with Wallen on the song "What I Want," which became her first No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. Political speculation intensified after Hughes, reportedly McRae's boyfriend, was seen laughing with teammates during a congratulatory call from then-President Trump following their Olympic hockey victory. The call and subsequent White House visit by the team drew criticism from some media outlets.

When asked by Variety about navigating such conversations, McRae stated that her actions and the organizations she supports speak for themselves. She pointed to her promotion of a "Little Miss Possessive" sweatshirt, with proceeds benefiting the Global Fund for Women and The Trevor Project, a nonprofit for LGBTQ+ youth, as an example of her values.

"I think it’s pretty obvious what kind of person I am and the things I support," McRae told Variety. "And I hope that my fans can see that through the things that I’m putting my energy towards."

McRae also emphasized the importance of maintaining privacy in her personal relationships. "I try to keep my relationships as sacred and private as possible," she said. "I love the people in my life. They love me. You just try to keep that circle as positive and supportive as possible."

She added that she chooses not to focus on outside noise that she cannot control, as it can negatively impact her mood. "Focusing my energy on something that I can’t control, it just puts me in a bad mood."

Following an extensive tour, McRae reflected on the demanding nature of her career and the emotional toll it can take. She is reportedly working on her fourth studio album and has upcoming festival performances, including at Lollapalooza and Montreal's Osheaga Festival.

"There’s always thought about how you want your legacy to go down," McRae said. "For me, the way to do that is try to beat your last performance, try to beat your last song, try to grow, evolve, pick it apart, rip it apart, figure out what didn’t work, what I didn’t like about that performance, what I could have done better, why I was nervous, figure out how to not be nervous."

"I think the more you can master yourself and your performances, the better you get," she added.