In the ever-evolving landscape of pop culture, few have navigated the transition from social media influencer to multifaceted entertainer as skillfully as Addison Rae. Born on October 6, 2000, in Lafayette, Louisiana, Rae’s journey began far from the glitz of Hollywood. A dancer from a young age, she was captivated by the rhythms of pop music, drawing inspiration from icons like Madonna, Britney Spears, and Lady Gaga. Her early years were marked by a passion for performance, honed through dance classes and a brief stint studying broadcast journalism at Louisiana State University in 2019. However, it was her serendipitous discovery of TikTok that summer that would catapult her into the global spotlight, setting the stage for an extraordinary career.
Rae’s rise on TikTok was meteoric. By late 2019, her infectious dance videos, often set to trending songs, had amassed millions of views, earning her a spot among the platform’s elite with over 88 million followers by 2025. Her relatable charm and dynamic stage presence resonated with a generation, making her a standout in the crowded world of social media. Yet, Rae’s ambitions extended beyond short-form content. “It was an escape, to dance,” she told Rolling Stone, reflecting on how her love for movement fueled her adoration of pop music. This passion would soon drive her to pursue music and acting, marking her as a new archetype in a digital age where influencers could redefine celebrity.
In March 2021, Rae took her first bold step into the music industry with her debut single, “Obsessed.” Released through Sandlot Records, the track was a glossy pop confection, though it faced harsh criticism, with some labeling it a generic cash-grab. Undeterred, Rae envisioned a broader musical narrative, teasing a debut album that would explore “experiences that [she’s] gone through or feelings that [she’s] had,” as she shared with Vogue. However, the negative reception and her own self-doubt led her to shelve plans for an extended play (EP), and she considered abandoning music altogether. It was a humbling moment for the young star, who was navigating the pressures of public scrutiny while still defining her artistic identity.
The turning point came unexpectedly in 2022 when unreleased demos from Rae’s “lost album” leaked online. Songs like “I Got It Bad” and “Nothing On (But the Radio)” — the latter originally recorded by Lady Gaga — gained traction on TikTok, sparking a viral resurgence. Fans and critics alike were surprised by the quality, with some comparing the tracks to Gaga’s early dance-pop era. “To this day, I still have no idea how that happened,” Rae told PEOPLE, but the leaks rekindled her confidence. Emboldened by the enthusiasm, she officially released her debut EP, AR, on August 18, 2023, through Sandlot Records. The five-track project, featuring a collaboration with Charli XCX on “2 Die 4,” was a love letter to 2000s pop, earning praise for its catchy hooks and nostalgic vibe.
AR was a critical and commercial success, debuting at number 19 on the US Billboard Heatseekers Albums chart and ranking among Spotify’s top 10 biggest opening weeks for a female EP with 6.6 million streams. Rolling Stone described it as “plasticky, pristine pop that online audiences ironically, and then unironically, eat up.” The EP’s success was a testament to Rae’s resilience and her ability to channel adversity into art. “I wanted this EP to be the end note to the past few years, and a stepping stone forward in my career,” she told Vogue, signaling her intent to evolve as an artist. Her collaboration with Charli XCX, a mentor and “big sister” figure, was pivotal, with XCX praising Rae’s lyrical eloquence and pop sensibilities.
In 2024, Rae signed with Columbia Records, a major milestone that amplified her reach. Her first single under the label, “Diet Pepsi,” released on August 9, 2024, marked a bold shift to a mature, alternative pop sound. Peaking at number 54 on the Billboard Hot 100 and reaching the top 10 in the UK, the dreamy track was lauded for its hypnotic production and Rae’s confident delivery. “Luka started playing the piano, and then literally, it was like magic,” Rae recalled of the song’s creation with producers Luka Kloser and Elvira Anderfjärd. The accompanying music video, dripping with early 2000s aesthetics, showcased her dance roots and solidified her as a rising pop force.
Following “Diet Pepsi,” Rae released “Aquamarine” on October 25, 2024, a dance-pop anthem that drew comparisons to Madonna and Kylie Minogue. Critics hailed it as “her boldest release yet,” with a remix by Venezuelan producer Arca, titled “Arcamarine,” adding an avant-garde edge. On February 14, 2025, “High Fashion” arrived, a track about the empowerment of style, described as an “addiction” to self-expression. Rae’s latest single, “Headphones On,” dropped on April 18, 2025, blending new jack swing with introspective lyrics reminiscent of Lana Del Rey. Filmed in Iceland, its music video captured Rae’s emotional depth, with lines like “You can’t fix what has already been broken” resonating with listeners.
Rae’s debut album, Addison, set for release on June 6, 2025, is poised to be a defining moment. Announced during a memorable Coachella performance with Arca, where Rae revealed the date on custom underwear, the album promises 12 tracks co-written and produced with Kloser and Anderfjärd. Partially recorded at Max Martin’s studio in Sweden, it draws inspiration from Madonna’s Ray of Light, with the Korg M1 synthesizer as its sonic backbone.
The album’s creation was a deeply personal process for Rae, who described it as “a mirror” and “a deep desperation and desire to understand myself better” on Instagram. Working exclusively with Kloser and Anderfjärd, she crafted a cohesive sound that blends her eclectic influences — from FKA Twigs to Timbaland’s 2000s R&B — with mainstream pop appeal. Her signing with Sony Music Publishing in 2025 further underscores her growing industry clout. Critics like Pitchfork’s Meaghan Garvey have named Addison one of the year’s most anticipated releases, a nod to Rae’s ability to transcend her TikTok origins.
Beyond music, Rae’s versatility shines through her acting roles in He’s All That (2021), Thanksgiving(2023), and the upcoming Animal Friends (2025) alongside Ryan Reynolds. Her business ventures, including Item Beauty and a fragrance line, reflect her entrepreneurial spirit, while her $5 million in endorsement earnings by 2020 made her TikTok’s highest earner at the time. Yet, it’s her music that feels like her true calling, a medium where she can express her authentic self. “I just mood-boarded my vibes,” she told Rolling Stone of her label pitch, a testament to her intuitive approach to artistry.
Rae’s journey is not without challenges. Critics question whether her social media fame overshadows her musicality, and the pressure to meet traditional expectations of musicianship looms large. Yet, her Coachella moment — bold, unapologetic, and quintessentially Addison — signals a new wave of artistic expression. As Dazed noted, Rae’s music is an exercise in “pop’s plasticity,” blending deliberate artifice with genuine emotion. Her ability to navigate this meta-narrative, from leaked demos to chart-topping singles, positions her as a trailblazer in a digital-first era.
As Addison approaches, Rae stands at the cusp of pop stardom, her story a testament to the power of resilience and reinvention. From a small-town dancer to a global influencer and now a certified pop artist, she has defied skeptics with her talent and tenacity. “I love the entirety of this project with all of me,” she wrote, and fans eagerly await the chance to experience it. With her debut album, Addison Rae is not just saving pop music — she’s redefining it, one vibrant beat at a time.
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