It’s officially a new era in New England, and it’s not just because the Patriots are heading back to the Super Bowl. While quarterback Drake Maye led the charge on the snowy field in Denver during the AFC Championship victory on January 25, 2026, another Maye was capturing headlines—and selfies—off the field. Ann Michael Maye, the Patriots star’s wife and childhood sweetheart, has found herself in the middle of a viral storm she never saw coming.
From High School Sweetheart to "The Queen of the North"
For over a decade, Ann Michael Maye (née Hudson) knew exactly what her role was when fans approached them: hold the phone, find the best lighting, and snap the picture of her husband with his admirers. But following the Patriots' gritty 10-7 win over the Broncos to secure their spot in Super Bowl LX, the script has flipped entirely.
In a candid interview that has since taken social media by storm, Ann Michael admitted that her sudden rise to fame has been a surreal adjustment. "I’m not used to it," she laughed, visibly amused by the situation. "It kind of blew up really fast. I’m used to Drake having it, you know, everywhere we go. People were asking him for pictures and things, and I’m the one taking the photo. And now people want [photos with] me. Yeah, it’s so weird."
The admission resonated instantly with fans, cementing her status as the "relatable celebrity wife" the NFL didn't know it needed. Social media users immediately began sharing clips of the interview, praising her humility despite being half of the NFL’s newest power couple.
The "Bakemas" Phenomenon That Started It All
While the AFC Championship spotlight pushed her fame to new heights, the momentum began building in December 2025. Ann Michael’s TikTok series, "Bakemas," where she baked holiday treats leading up to Christmas, turned her into an overnight sensation. Fans quickly dubbed her the "Queen of the North," a moniker that stuck as the Patriots plowed through the playoffs.
The obsession reached a fever pitch this past weekend. On JetBlue flights from Boston to Denver, fans were treated to cookies baked by Ann Michael herself—a personal touch that stands in stark contrast to the often distant nature of celebrity culture. It’s this down-to-earth energy that has sparked comparisons to previous Patriots royalty, with fans filling her comments sections with playful jabs like "Gisele could never."
Navigating the Comparisons
Ann Michael has handled the inevitable Gisele Bündchen comparisons with grace. When asked about the viral comments claiming she does what Brady's ex-wife wouldn't, she shut down the negativity immediately. "I’m like, Gisele is pretty—she’s been pretty good, guys," she told Dave Portnoy in a recent segment. Her refusal to engage in the drama has only made her more endearing to the New England faithful.
A Love Story 15 Years in the Making
Part of the fascination with the couple stems from their genuine history. Unlike many whirlwind celebrity romances, Drake and Ann Michael have been together since middle school, dating back to 2011. They attended the University of North Carolina together, where she supported him from the stands long before he was a first-round draft pick.
They married just last summer, in June 2025, in a ceremony that felt more like a college reunion than a celebrity gala. This deep-rooted history is evident in how they interact. Even amidst the chaos of the AFC Championship celebration in the snow, cameras caught Drake looking for Ann Michael first. But this time, the cameras were looking for her, too.
Ready for Super Bowl 2026
As the Patriots prepare to face the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX on February 8, the media frenzy surrounding Ann Michael is only expected to grow. Marketing experts are already predicting she could be the breakout star of the Super Bowl week, overshadowing even the halftime performers.
For now, though, she is still trying to wrap her head around her new reality. The days of being the designated photographer are officially over. Now, Ann Michael Maye has to get used to being the one in the frame.
