18
18
How Addison Rae became pop music’s brightest rising star
In just a few short years, American star Addison Rae has gone from casual TikTok user to rising singer and actress to watch. Courted by Netflix, the photographer Petra Collins, and close to Charli XCX, she’s increasingly embraced by the fashion world—solidifying her place as one of today’s standout it-girls.
A meteoric rise on TikTok
In 2019, American teenager Addison Rae made a name for herself on the social media platform TikTok. One of the app’s earliest adopters, she regularly posted high-energy dance videos set to user-favorite songs.
Her natural charm and knack for nailing viral “trends” quickly won over a huge audience. Within a short time, her follower count soared into the millions, making her one of TikTok’s most followed creators.
By taking part in the platform’s most viral challenges and teaming up with fellow TikTok stars like Charli D’Amelio (with whom she joined the Hype House, a collective of creators living under one roof), she cemented her status as a major figure on the app, amassing over 88 million followers—currently the fifth most followed account on TikTok.
But beyond her dance skills, it’s her deep understanding of social media algorithms that truly sets her apart. Addison Rae doesn’t just follow trends, she starts them. In 2022, her unique way of applying lip gloss went viral, sparking countless imitations. She also helped reignite the belly-button piercing trend, alongside Ice Spice and Billie Eilish.
A content creator turning heads in the fashion world
Through her TikTok videos, Addison Rae emerged as a style icon for streetwear, often sporting figure-hugging tops and short shorts with a Y2K flair.
Now 24 and based in Los Angeles, she collaborates with major brands like Adidas, Reebok, and American Eagle. She’s also been spotted front row at Versace and Kenzo fashion shows.
This month, Rae stars in a new campaign for Petra Collins’ brand I’m Sorry, released in collaboration with Mimi Wade and the SSENSE platform. The visuals were shot by cult photographer Richard Kern.
Addison Rae’s acting debut on Netflix
Realizing her carefully curated image could take her far beyond TikTok, Rae made a seamless transition into acting. Just a few years into her career, she landed a role in the Netflix comedy He’s All That (2021).
A reboot of the 1999 teen classic She’s All That (starring Rachael Leigh Cook, Freddie Prinze Jr., and Paul Walker), the film failed to impress audiences and drew harsh criticism from several U.S. media outlets. The New York Times, for instance, wrote: “The Mark Waters reboot lazily recycles the 1999 film, without its endearing weirdness.”
Nonetheless, Rae’s rising star remained untarnished. She soon appeared in the 2023 horror flick Thanksgiving alongside Patrick Dempsey, and she’s set to star in the Netflix live-action comedy Animal Friends (2025), with Ryan Reynolds and Aubrey Plaza along with Season 3 of Ryan Murphy’s series Monsters: The Ed Gein Story.
A promising start to her music career
Addison Rae is also one of the rare influencers to successfully break into music. In 2021, she released the single Upset, which racked up over 28 million YouTube views.
After signing with Atlantic Records, Rae dropped her debut EP AR in 2023, featuring the track 2 die 4 with close friend and pop provocateur Charli XCX. Their connection continued in 2024 with Rae’s appearance on a remix of Von Dutch.
That summer, Rae made waves again with the music video for Diet Pepsi, a massive U.S. hit later covered by Camila Cabello. The track, a shimmering pop anthem, was co-written with Swedish producer Elvira Anderfjärd, known for her work with Taylor Swift, Tove Lo, and Katy Perry. In January 2025, Rae reached another milestone: gracing the cover of Rolling Stone, the ultimate sign that her talents were now fully recognized.
Aquamarine, one of 2024’s most beautiful songs, remixed by Arca
On October 25, 2024, Rae unveiled Aquamarine, a hypnotic new single and another collaboration with Elvira Anderfjärd. In the video, she glides through the streets of Paris, spritzing herself with Chanel No. 5 under the direction of The Sweet East (starring Jacob Elordi and Talia Rydar) filmmaker Sean Price Williams. A siren’s call wrapped in dance-pop shimmer, the song channels Kylie Minogue’s best.
And in November, it got a stunning experimental remix by Arca, aptly titled Arcamarine. On March 13, 2025, Rae performed the track live for the first time at Coachella invited onstage by Arca herself. During the set, Rae delivered a surprise reveal that thrilled fans: long-speculated but never confirmed, the release date of her debut album was finally announced. The words “June 6” appeared on her underwear, visible through a sheer white ruffled dress, confirming the album’s imminent arrival.
Addison Rae’s hotly anticipated debut album
Addison Rae’s first full-length album is now one of 2025’s most anticipated releases. Why such buzz? Her string of captivating singles over the past months. In February, around Valentine’s Day, she dropped High Fashion, a sultry ode to haute couture. Its lushly styled video, directed by Mitch Ryan (whose credits include Rosalía and Olivia Rodrigo), featured Rae sprawled amid luxury shoes, licking sugar off her lips, and twisting her body in the glow of a sunset.
Then, on April 18, she released Headphones On, likely the album’s final single. Also directed by Mitch Ryan, the dreamlike video features Rae with pink hair flowing as she rides a white horse through violet clouds. The song is perhaps her most personal yet—she opens up about using music to process difficult memories: her parents’ divorce and struggles with jealousy in past relationships. Serving as a prelude to her debut album, Headphones On cements Addison Rae’s status as one of the defining it-girls of the moment.
Diet Pepsi and Aquamarine (2024) by Addison Rae – available now. High Fashion and Headphones On (2025) by Addison Rae – available now. Addison Rae’s debut album drops June 6.
