It started with a few blurry photos and a lot of frantic zooming. In October 2025, the internet basically had a collective meltdown when TikTok’s favorite "relatable mom," Kat Stickler, was spotted on the same side of a booth with none other than John Mayer. Not exactly the crossover anyone had on their 2025 bingo card.
The setting was New York City. First, it was a private members-only club on a Friday night. Then, it was the Flyfish Club on Saturday. Two nights. One guitar legend with a "reliability kink" and one creator known for her hysterical impressions of her Hispanic mother.
If you've followed Kat’s journey from her viral pandemic videos with her ex-husband Mike Stickler to her high-profile breakup with The Bachelorette’s Jason Tartick, you know she doesn’t do things quietly. But this? This felt different. It wasn't a "soft launch" with a mystery arm in the frame. It was a full-blown tabloid firestorm.
The Timeline of the Stickler-Mayer Connection
Rumors didn't just appear out of thin air. They were fueled by very specific sightings and insider leaks that painted a picture of a 48-year-old rock star actively pursuing a 30-year-old digital native.
According to reports from Us Weekly and various eyewitnesses who sent tips to DeuxMoi, Mayer was the one who initiated. He reportedly "sought her out" and began texting her frequently after she ended a short-lived relationship with a mystery man (affectionately dubbed "Tripp" by fans) in late summer 2025.
By the time they were seen in Manhattan, the vibe was described as "very touchy." They weren't just grabbing coffee; they were sitting side-by-side, sharing drinks (a Coke Zero for John, if you believe the spies), and looking very much like a couple in the "new car smell" phase of dating.
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Why the Internet Lost Its Mind
The age gap—17 years—was the first thing people pointed to, but let's be real: John Mayer dating a younger woman isn't exactly breaking news. What actually caught people off guard was the personality clash.
Kat Stickler is loud, funny, and deeply online. She posts her therapy breakthroughs and her toddler's tantrums. John Mayer, while active on social media, has spent the last decade trying to shed his "Dead and Company" era image and become more of a reclusive, watch-collecting elder statesman of music.
Some fans were thrilled. They saw it as the ultimate "glow up" for Kat. Others? Not so much. A few of Kat's friends and industry insiders supposedly told her to "run," citing Mayer’s legendary track record of leaving heartbreak—and Grammy-winning albums—in his wake.
Navigating the "Single" Narrative
While the photos looked cozy, Kat did what she does best: she took to TikTok to keep everyone guessing.
On October 15, 2025, she posted a video addressing the "million notifications" about her personal life. She didn't confirm the name John Mayer, but she didn't deny the dates either. Instead, she leaned into her signature humor, talking about how "horrible" it would be to have your personal life discussed like that (while clearly knowing it was being discussed).
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Then came the "breakup bob."
In late 2025, Kat cut her hair into a sharp, short bob—a move she herself called a "telltale sign of a relationship gone bad." This sent the rumor mill into overdrive. Was she talking about John? Or was she still processing the end of her relationship with Jason Tartick, which ended amicably in October 2024?
By November 2025, sources close to the situation suggested that while the spark was real, the stakes were low. Kat was reportedly "just having fun" and didn't see it as a long-term, walk-down-the-aisle situation. For a woman who has been through a public divorce and a public breakup with a reality star, "just having fun" sounds like a pretty healthy boundary.
What This Means for Kat's Brand
Honestly, whether they are still texting or it was just a New York minute, the Mayer association changed Kat’s trajectory. She’s no longer just a "TikToker." She’s a personality that moves the needle in traditional media.
She's managed to navigate the transition from "mom-content creator" to "celebrity" with a lot of grace, even when people were criticizing her for moving on too fast or introducing new men to her daughter, MK.
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- Own the narrative: Kat doesn't let the tabloids tell her story; she uses her platform to joke about it first.
- Privacy is a choice: Even with Mayer, she never gave the "hard launch" fans wanted, keeping the most intimate details to herself.
- Humor wins: You can’t really "cancel" someone who is already making fun of themselves.
Moving Forward
If you're looking for a wedding announcement, don't hold your breath. John Mayer has been vocal about wanting to get married—he told Kelly Rizzo on her Comfort Food podcast that he has a "reliability kink" and wants to be the guy his wife calls when she doesn't know what to do.
But Kat Stickler is in a different season of life. She’s building an empire, raising a daughter, and seemingly enjoying the freedom that comes with being 30 and successful.
The next step for anyone following this saga is to watch Kat's content for the subtle cues. She’s a master of the "if you know, you know" post. Keep an eye on her Spotify playlists or any mentions of "New Light" in the background of her stories.
Whether it was a whirlwind romance or just a few really good dinners in the West Village, the Kat Stickler and John Mayer era reminded us that the line between "influencer" and "A-list celebrity" has basically vanished.
If you want to stay updated on Kat's actual relationship status, the best place is her TikTok—just don't expect a straight answer. She’s much more likely to give you a 60-second comedy sketch about her mom’s reaction to the news than a formal press release.