Kristin Cavallari has finally revealed the identity of the mystery retired athlete she previously hinted she was dating. On the April 1 episode of her Let’s Be Honest podcast, the Laguna Beach alum confirmed she had been seeing former NHL player Nate Thompson, calling it “the most honest, pure, amazing, quote-unquote relationship I’ve ever had.”
Cavallari, 37, first teased the relationship in December on Bunnie Xo’s podcast, describing her then-unnamed partner as “such a good guy” who “checks all the boxes.” She explained that while she initially wanted to keep things private, Thompson’s identity was already out after she mentioned him during her live podcast tour—and after TikTok sleuths pieced it together.
“He’s an ex-hockey player, been retired for a couple years, he’s a dad, and someone who has done a lot of work on himself,” she shared. “We really connected on such a deep level… We didn’t hold back anything. We told each other everything.” However, Cavallari clarified that she wouldn’t label Thompson, 40, as a “boyfriend,” instead calling him “someone I’ve dated.”
The relationship, which was mostly long-distance due to Thompson living in Los Angeles and Cavallari in Nashville, ended before her podcast tour began last month. “It wasn’t like we didn’t have fun, and I was attracted to him—all the pieces were there,” she said. “I just didn’t wanna be in a relationship.”
Cavallari admitted that her responsibilities as a single mom to three kids played a major role in her decision. “My time that I can give to a man right now is so limited,” she explained. “It’s f—ing complicated, alright? With having my kids most of the time, it’s not like it was a couple years ago.”
For now, the Very Cavallari star is taking a break from dating altogether, focusing instead on her podcast tour and personal growth. “I did not put any energy into men. I did not talk to any men,” she said, joking that she even ignored DMs from “hot ass men” on Instagram. “You guys would have been so proud of me.
