Warning: This article contains spoilers for theClaim to Fame season 3 finale, "Blood, Sweat, and Returning Peers."
Forget Jack and Diane, here's a little ditty 'bout Hud and Mackenzie.
The Claim to Fame stars have been flirting all season on the reality show. Hud first got Mackenzie's temperature rising in the premiere after showing off his physical prowess in a talent show. The pair quickly became allies in the game — allies who flirt and brush up against each other while talking — until the finale where they both lost to season 3 winner Adam. Mackenzie was revealed to be the daughter of country singer and Celebrity Apprentice star Trace Adkins and Hud the son of Grammy-winning singer John Mellencamp (and brother of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum Teddi Mellencamp Arroyave).
In one of her final confessionals on the show, Mackenzie said flirting with Hud was all just for strategy, but "after this game ends, check back in with me and we'll see." So Entertainment Weekly did just that, and although the pair play coy, with Mackenzie saying they're "just hanging out," when asked if either of them consider themselves single, they both stay silent.
They do admit they have visited each other in Indiana and Tennessee, with Hud and Mellencamp heading to Nashville for Mackenzie's finale watch party. And Hud already has Adkins' stamp of approval. "My dad has met Hud, and my dad loves Hud," Mackenzie tells EW.
Read on for more about their dating status, advice from their famous dads, and how they feel about losing.
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ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: How shocked were you to lose to Adam after the confusing gameplay we saw from him all season?
HUD: Yeah, it's always a bummer to make it just that close, but I'd rather make it just that close than not at all.
MACKENZIE: Yeah, agreed. I mean, if you would've asked me episode 1 who was going to win, it probably wouldn't have been Adam, but I'm happy for him.
HUD: If you would've asked me right there who was going to win, it probably wouldn't have been Adam.
Did your dads give you any advice about doing the show?
HUD: Yeah, I think my dad was pretty helpful. And she said she got some good advice from her dad. My dad, because my sister's been on a couple shows, he's like, go for it. Do your best. Try and get out there and win, but also be real to yourself. Don't come back and feel bad about what you've done on TV.
MACKENZIE: My dad definitely told me to kind of get to know everybody and fly under the radar for a little bit and then start taking people out once I had a read on people. But I mean, I was fortunate. We talked about it for a while. He was on two seasons of The Apprentice, so he had a lot of that with a lot of people involved and a lot of gameplay going on there, too. So he was really helpful for sure.
I'm assuming they're both watching the season. What are they saying about it?
MACKENZIE: My dad loves it. He watches every week. I think he got Hulu just for this. He gets into it, he'd call me and talk to me all about it, and he's really proud. It's great to see.
Does he already know the results or are you making him watch?
MACKENZIE: No, he's convinced that I win. And Hud's dad is also convinced that Hud won.
HUD: I live down the street from my dad, so I see him almost every day, and every time I see him, he goes, "Hud, did you win the show?" It's like, tune in and find out.
MACKENZIE: Hud and his dad are coming down to Nashville, along with some of the other contestants, to watch [the finale] together, and my dad is just like, "You wouldn't be having this party if you didn't win." He is convinced.
Have your fathers figured people out along the way, the other contestants' relatives?
HUD: My dad put together a couple things. He thought Danny was related to Marlon Brando, and I was like, "Dude, you're going to freak out."
MACKENZIE: My dad got Michael Bolton very early on. I was just like, ugh, I'm so mad that everybody else is getting that, except for me.
Have your dads ever crossed paths since they are in the same industry?
MACKENZIE: Once or twice in passing. Yeah, I'm pretty sure.
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We saw some very serious flirting all season, including when you two were sharing a drink at the finale and it was getting a little touchy feely. Did things get any steamier in the house than what we saw on TV?
HUD: In the house?
MACKENZIE: No. There were cameras everywhere. That was not... No. No.
HUD: Ain't that type of show.
Mackenzie, in a confessional, you said that the flirting was just for the game, but to check back with you after the show. So, this is me checking back. Are you guys dating?
MACKENZIE: Hud has come down to Nashville a few times, and I've been up there to Indiana. So we're just hanging out.
Hud, what do you say?
HUD: Whatever she just said. But I am heading down there after this interview. I've got to pack some things up. I'm going down there. I'm excited to see everybody. I'm excited to see her. It's going to be a fun time.
Okay, so would either of you say that you're currently single?
[Silence]
Okay. Silence speaks for itself. If you are seeing each other, do the dads approve?
MACKENZIE: My dad has met Hud, and my dad loves Hud. I think the whole football and college thing really sealed the deal for him. My dad played football in college and he was like, "I liked that boy."
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Who else do you keep in touch with from the show?
HUD: We all have a group chat, but I love Shane and Danny. Every time I go to L.A., I'm calling Shane.
MACKENZIE: Jill and Gracie for me. We have a group message. Love my girls.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
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