The Kid Laroi has seemingly embarked on a fresh romantic chapter following his highly publicised split from pop sensation Tate McRae. The Australian rapper, whose real name is Charlton Kenneth Jeffrey Howard, was in Melbourne this week enjoying the spectacle of the Australian Open tennis tournament.
A New Chapter Begins
The 22-year-old musician was not attending the prestigious sporting event alone. He was spotted in the company of director and producer Sophie HM, with the pair displaying clear affection for one another. The Thousand Miles hitmaker appeared to be moving on in a very public fashion.
Instagram Clues And Cable Car Intimacy
The budding romance first came to light through a revealing post on Sophie HM's Instagram story. The image, captured from Sophie's perspective, showed the couple seated in what appeared to be a sky-high cable car cabin. While Sophie's face remained unseen, her legs clad in wide-legged pants were outstretched towards Laroi.
With his face obscured beneath a black baseball cap, Laroi was pictured leaning in to plant a kiss on Sophie's ankle while casually holding an iced beverage. The intimate moment suggested a comfortable and close connection between the two.
Centre Court Companions
The couple were later observed watching the thrilling centre court match between Alex de Minaur and Carlos Alcaraz at Melbourne Park on Tuesday. They appeared thoroughly delighted in each other's company, their attention firmly fixed on the athletic display before them.
There were moments of quiet affection amidst the tennis action, with Laroi seen gently holding Sophie's hand during the match. Their body language and shared enjoyment of the event painted a picture of a couple enjoying early days of romance.
Closing The Chapter On Tate McRae
Laroi officially ended his relationship with Canadian pop star Tate McRae in July last year, after approximately twelve months of dating. He appeared to confirm their separation when he stated the pair remained on good terms, following fan accusations that his team had paid for negative social media posts about her.
McRae's Reflections On Public Scrutiny
Speaking about the breakup in a December interview with Rolling Stone, McRae expressed feeling overwhelmed by the intense public scrutiny surrounding their private lives. It was really scary and overwhelming, I would never talk that way, even about my friends' lives, she revealed.
I didn't realise how much it would affect me, the public knowing my private life – because no one knows the full story of anything, ever, McRae continued. I also hate people painting a situation that's worse than it is.
The blonde singer added a philosophical note about artistic expression following romantic endings. But what I've had to realise is that he's going to write songs and I'm going to write songs, and that's our way of expressing ourselves. That's our art, that's our job. And once it's out there, it's not mine anymore.
As Laroi enjoys the Australian summer and the tennis with his new companion, it appears both artists are navigating life in the spotlight while embracing new beginnings.
