John Mayer has a reputation that usually walks into the room about five minutes before he does. For years, we’ve watched the "Gravity" singer navigate a dating history that looks like a guest list for a Hollywood A-list gala—Jennifer Aniston, Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, Jessica Simpson. It was a whole thing. But lately, things have felt quieter, or at least more intentional. If you’re looking for the short answer on who is dating John Mayer right now, the name on everyone’s lips in 2026 is Kat Stickler.
It’s not just some random tabloid guess, either. The smoke started thick in late 2025 when they were spotted at places like Flyfish Club and various private members-only spots in New York City. Since then, the breadcrumbs have only gotten more interesting.
The Kat Stickler Connection: More Than Just a Rumor?
Kat Stickler isn’t your typical "paparazzi bait" actress. She’s a massive TikTok personality and comedian, known for her sharp wit and being incredibly open about her life as a single mom. Honestly, that’s probably why this pairing feels so left-field but somehow makes sense.
👉 See also: Valerie Bertinelli and Mackenzie Phillips: What Really Happened Behind the Scenes
The timeline got moving in October 2025. Sources told Us Weekly that Mayer was the one doing the chasing, reportedly "actively pursuing" her and texting constantly. It’s a bit of a shift from the "Mayer the Player" narrative we grew up with in the 2000s.
Why fans think it's the real deal
- The Merch Drop: In November 2025, Kat posted a photo on Instagram wearing "Life With John Mayer" sweatpants while lounging in bed with donuts. For a guy who keeps his cards close to his chest these days, that kind of "soft launch" is basically a press release in the world of modern dating.
- Vegas Sightings: They were reportedly both in Las Vegas at the same time during some high-profile events, including F1 festivities where Kat was seen wearing an Audemars Piguet jacket—a brand John is famously obsessed with and collaborates with.
- The Mutual Friends: They both move in the Andy Cohen circle. In the world of celebrity networking, Andy is basically the Kevin Bacon of matchmaking.
What Happened to the Kiernan Shipka Rumors?
Before Kat entered the frame, the internet was convinced John was dating Mad Men alum Kiernan Shipka. They were seen together a bunch in 2022 and 2023, most notably during a four-hour dinner at Giorgio Baldi in Santa Monica.
It was a weird one. People were definitely divided on the 22-year age gap. They even did that classic celebrity move of leaving in separate cars only to have her hop into his limo a block away. Classic. But as of 2026, those rumors have cooled significantly. Most insiders suggest they were either a very short-lived "something" or just really good friends who enjoyed the chaos of the speculation. Kiernan has been linked to other people since, and John seems to have moved on to the "influencer era" of his dating life.
Is John Mayer Actually Looking for a Wife?
This is the big question. If you listen to his recent interviews—like his chat with Kelly Rizzo (Bob Saget’s widow) on her Comfort Food podcast—he sounds like a man who is finished with the "games."
He’s been very vocal about having what he calls a "reliability kink." He basically wants to be the guy a woman can depend on. He told Rizzo, "I so badly want to get married if only for my wife to just know in her heart, like, 'John will know what to do.'"
The Evolution of the "Mayer" Brand
- The Playboy Era: The mid-2000s where he gave that Playboy interview and dated every starlet in sight.
- The Montana Retreat: After the Taylor Swift/Katy Perry era, he basically disappeared to a ranch in Montana to get his head straight.
- The Dead & Co. Era: He found a new community with the Grateful Dead crowd, which seemed to mellow him out significantly.
- The Current Chapter: At 48, he’s sober (he quit drinking around 2018) and seems focused on finding a partnership that isn't just a headline.
The "Leverage" Debate
Not everyone is buying the romance with Kat Stickler, though. Because Kat is so business-savvy and has over 10 million followers, some gossip hounds—including some spicy reports on Reality Tea—have suggested the relationship might be a bit of a "power move."
The theory is that Kat is using the connection to bridge the gap between TikTok and "real" Hollywood fame. But honestly? In 2026, everyone is a brand. If they’re having fun and eating donuts together, does it really matter if it’s also good for their engagement metrics?
What This Means for Your Feed
If you’re following this saga, don’t expect a red carpet debut anytime soon. John has learned his lesson about being too public with his heart. He once told Ellen DeGeneres that he prefers to keep things private now because it’s the only way to make a relationship actually last.
Expect more "glimpses" instead of "announcements." You’ll see a reflection in a window, a familiar-looking guitar in the background of a TikTok, or a piece of tour merch worn "ironically." That’s the new Mayer playbook.
🔗 Read more: England Royal Family Tree: Why the Line of Succession is Weirder Than You Think
Actionable Takeaways for Fans:
- Follow the "Soft Launch": Watch Kat Stickler's Instagram Stories rather than the tabloids; that's where the real clues are.
- Listen to the Lyrics: John almost always processes his breakups and "new loves" through his songwriting. If a new single drops with references to Florida (where Kat is from) or TikTok culture, you'll know.
- Ignore the "Outrage": People will always bring up his age or his past. If you're looking for the truth about who he is now, look at his current lifestyle—sober, touring with Dead & Co., and keeping his circle small.