Let's be real: trying to keep up with who Kristin Cavallari is dating is basically a full-time job. One minute she’s hard-launching a TikTok star on a beach in Mexico, and the next, she’s back on her podcast explaining why she’s "done with the Nashville scene" for the tenth time. Honestly, it’s relatable.
If you’ve been scrolling through social media lately wondering is Kristin Cavallari dating anyone right now, the answer is kind of a "yes, but it’s complicated" situation. After a very public—and very scrutinized—breakup with Mark Estes in late 2024, Kristin hasn't exactly been sitting at home waiting for the phone to ring. She’s been out there. She’s been dating. But she’s being way more tight-lipped than she used to be.
The Mark Estes Era and Why it Actually Ended
You probably remember the Montana Boyz era. It was everywhere. Kristin, 38, and Mark, 24, were the "it" couple of the early 2024 news cycle. They looked great together, sure. But the age gap was a huge talking point for everyone from Reddit snark boards to national news outlets.
They lasted seven months. Seven months of PDA-filled TikToks and romantic getaways. But by September 2024, it was over. Kristin was surprisingly vulnerable about it on her Let’s Be Honest podcast. She didn't blame some big blowup or cheating scandal. Basically, she just realized they were in totally different seasons of life.
"I broke up with Mark because I just know long-term it's not right," she explained. "He needs to experience life. He's young."
It was a mature take, honestly. She acknowledged that those formative years in your 20s are when you find yourself, and she didn't want to be the reason he missed out on that. Since then, there’s been a little bit of back-and-forth—like Mark reportedly texting her "I miss you" during her podcast tour in 2025—but that ship has definitely sailed.
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So, Who is Kristin Cavallari Dating in 2026?
Here is where things get interesting. Kristin hasn't done another "hard launch" on Instagram in a while, which is probably a smart move. However, she hasn't been single this whole time.
In late 2024, she confirmed on Bunnie XO’s Dumb Blonde podcast that she was "kinda dating someone else." She described him as a retired athlete in his 40s who has kids of his own. This was a huge shift from the 24-year-old TikToker. She joked that she’s a "WAG through and through" and that athletes just seem to find her.
The Mystery Retired Athlete
For a while, everyone was guessing. Was it another football player? A baseball star? In April 2025, she finally dropped a name on her podcast: Nate Thompson, a former NHL player.
But, in classic Kristin fashion, that didn't last forever either. By the time the rumors really started heating up, she revealed they had split around March 2025. Why? Because she realized she "just didn't wanna be in a relationship" at that specific moment.
What’s the Current Status?
As of early 2026, Kristin seems to be in a "selective dating" phase. She’s not "monk-like" (a term she used back in 2023 to describe her celibacy), but she isn't tied down.
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There was a lot of buzz in late 2025 about her being set up on a date with a "big deal" professional sports coach. She talked about it on an October 2025 episode of her podcast, saying her agent arranged it after she told the universe she was ready to date again. She wouldn't name him or even the sport, but she did admit she didn't even know who he was at first. It sounds like it was a one-and-done situation—no sparks, no second date.
Why the "Nashville Scene" is a Problem
Kristin has been very vocal about how hard it is to find a guy in Nashville. She’s lived there for years now, and she’s basically said she’s "done" with the local dating pool.
- The Problem: Nashville is a small town in a big city body. Everyone knows everyone.
- The "No" List: She’s famously said she will never date another country music star (sorry, Morgan Wallen fans, that "f*** buddy" era she mentioned is long over).
- The Criteria: She’s looking for someone with "depth," someone who is a "good guy," and—this is key—someone who understands her life as a mom to Camden, Jaxon, and Saylor.
The Morgan Wallen Rumors
We have to talk about the Morgan Wallen thing because it still pops up every time someone asks is Kristin Cavallari dating.
In early 2025, Kristin finally got honest about the rumors that had been swirling for years. She admitted they had a romantic connection, but it was never a serious "relationship." She basically called him a "great f*** buddy" but said he was too busy for anything real. It was a classic case of two famous people having fun without the labels. But don't expect a reunion there; she’s made it clear she wants something more serious and stable these days.
What Kristin is Looking for Now
If you listen to her podcast regularly, you know her mindset has shifted. She isn't looking for a "project" anymore. She isn't looking for a 20-something who still needs to "find himself."
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She wants a partner who is:
- In her age bracket: No more 13-year age gaps. She’s looking for someone in their late 30s or 40s.
- A Parent: She’s found that men with kids just "get it" in a way that childless guys don't.
- Secure: Dating a woman who is a self-made millionaire with a massive public platform takes a certain kind of confidence.
The "Bachelorette" Rumors
In late 2025, there was a wild theory on Reddit that Kristin was pausing her podcast to film a season of The Bachelorette. Honestly? It would be incredible TV. But most experts and fans agree that Kristin would never do it. She’s too protective of her brand and her kids to let ABC producers edit her love life into a neat little 60-minute package. Plus, she’s already "been there, done that" with reality TV dating on The Hills and Laguna Beach.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're following Kristin's journey to find "the one," here is what you should actually keep an eye on:
- Listen to "Let’s Be Honest": This is where she drops all her tea. If she’s dating someone new, she’ll hint at it there before it ever hits a tabloid.
- Watch the "WAG" Circle: Kristin tends to stay in the athlete lane. Keep an eye on recently retired pros who are moving to or spending time in Nashville.
- Ignore the "A-Lister" Rumors: She recently shut down rumors that she ever dated Chris Evans. Just because she’s seen in the same city as a Marvel star doesn't mean they're an item.
Kristin is clearly in her "power era." She’s focused on her business, Uncommon James, her three kids, and her mental health. While she’s definitely "dating" in the sense that she’s going out and meeting people, she hasn't found anyone yet who makes her want to give up her hard-won peace.
If you want to stay updated on her status, the best thing to do is watch her Instagram stories for "accidental" glimpses of a mystery man's arm or a dinner for two—that's usually how her reveals start. For now, she’s officially single but definitely looking.