You’ve probably seen the grainy clips. A championship parade in Boston, the air thick with confetti, and there she is—R&B star Ella Mai, rocking a Jayson Tatum jersey with a very obvious baby bump. It was the "soft launch" of the century. For years, people wondered if the Celtics superstar and the "Boo’d Up" singer were actually a thing. They never posted "couple goals" photos. They didn't do red carpet interviews together. Honestly, they moved like secret agents in an era where every other celebrity couple is oversharing on TikTok.
But in 2026, the mystery is mostly solved. They aren't just dating; they're a full-blown family unit.
The timeline of Jayson Tatum and Ella Mai is a masterclass in privacy. While most NBA stars have their personal lives splashed across TMZ every Tuesday, Tatum and Mai managed to keep a relationship under wraps for nearly five years. Most fans didn't even realize they were serious until the 2024 NBA Finals. But if you look back at the trail of breadcrumbs, the signs were always there.
The Stealthy Romance of Jayson Tatum and Ella Mai
It all started back in 2019. Legend has it that Tatum flew from Boston to Baltimore immediately after a Celtics game just to see her perform. Think about that for a second. That is a massive "I’m into you" move. You don't take a private jet across states after playing 40 minutes of professional basketball unless the vibes are extremely high.
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Then came the digital sleuthing. Fans noticed Ella Mai doing a livestream in 2020 with a background that looked suspiciously like Tatum’s house. Same lighting, same vibe. By 2022, they were spotted at Michael Rubin’s famous White Party in the Hamptons. They weren’t holding hands for the cameras, but they were definitely there together.
A New Chapter: The Arrival of Baby Dylan
The real shift happened in 2024. This was the year Jayson Tatum finally secured his first NBA ring, but the bigger news for many was the person standing next to him during the celebrations. Ella Mai was pregnant. No big announcement, no magazine cover—just a visible bump and a supportive presence.
Their son, reportedly named Dylan, was born in August 2024.
Think about the timing. Tatum wins a championship, has a baby, and then heads to Paris for the Olympics. It was a whirlwind. In Paris, after Team USA took home the gold, the world finally got a glimpse of the new family. Ella was seen in the background of the celebrations holding the newborn. It was a rare, authentic moment for a couple that usually treats their personal life like a classified document.
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Why the Secrecy Works for Them
In a recent 2025 interview with KISS XTRA, Ella Mai finally broke her silence a bit. She basically said that the privacy was intentional. She wanted to keep her peace. She didn't want the "negativity" that usually comes with being a high-profile couple.
"If you're intentional with the way that you move, it's not that hard to not be seen," she said.
It's a wild concept in 2026, isn't it? The idea that two of the biggest stars in their respective fields can just... exist without a PR team choreographing their every move.
- The Deuce Factor: Tatum already has a son, Jayson "Deuce" Tatum Jr., from a previous relationship. Deuce is a celebrity in his own right among Celtics fans.
- Musical Tributes: Fans have dissected Ella Mai’s recent music, especially the 3 EP, looking for references. She even has a song called "Little Things" that many believe is a nod to her life with Tatum.
- The Tattoos: There was that moment in late 2024 where people noticed they both had identical "3" tattoos behind their ears. Tatum’s jersey number is 0, but the number 3 seems to hold a deeper, personal significance for them.
Handling the NBA Life and the Music Industry
Being a "singing hooper" family isn't easy. Tatum is currently navigating the peak of his career while dealing with the physical toll of the game—like that Achilles issue that had everyone worried last year. Having a stable partner like Mai, who understands the grind of touring and the pressure of the spotlight, is likely a huge part of his success.
What’s interesting is how they balance the two worlds. Mai isn't just "the girlfriend." She’s a Grammy winner. She’s releasing new music like "100" and her upcoming album Do You Still Love Me?. She isn't absorbed into the NBA lifestyle; she maintains her own lane.
What’s Next for the Power Couple?
Are they married? People keep asking. There have been rumors of a secret wedding for years, but no public records have surfaced. They don't wear wedding rings in public. Honestly, it doesn't seem like they care about the traditional labels as much as they care about the actual partnership.
Their son Dylan is already showing signs of following in both their footsteps. Mai joked that he can already "hold a note" but also seems to have the energy of an athlete. Whether he ends up on a stage or a court, he’s got the DNA for both.
If you're following the Jayson Tatum and Ella Mai story, the best thing to do is respect the boundary they've built. They aren't going to give you a reality show. They aren't going to sell their baby photos to a tabloid. They’ve proven that you can be famous and still keep the most important parts of your life for yourself.
To stay truly updated, watch the courtside seats at the TD Garden and listen closely to the lyrics of Ella’s new tracks. That’s where the real story is usually told. Keep an eye out for the subtle "Easter eggs" on Tatum's sneakers too—he's known to write messages to his family on his game shoes before tip-off.