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How Addison Rae became the most exciting pop star of 2025
In just a few years, Addison Rae has gone from being a regular TikTok user to a rising singer and actress to watch closely. Courted by Netflix and photographer Petra Collins, and close to Charli xcx, she is winning over both the pop and fashion industries, thus cementing her status as one of today’s it-girls and the most exciting singer of 2025. Throwback to the rise of pop star, who just got nominated in the category for “Best New Artist” at the 2026 Grammy Awards.
and Violaine Schütz.
Published on 1 September 2025. Updated on 30 December 2025.
A meteoric rise on TikTok
Few social media stars have made a successful transition to pop music. Yet, Addison Rae, 25, has pulled it off with flying colors. 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 amount of time, the number of people following her 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
With her TikTok videos, Addison Rae established herself as a true streetwear icon. The singer has often been spotted wearing fitted tops and micro shorts infused with a Y2K spirit. Based in Los Angeles, she collaborates with major brands like Adidas, Reebok, and American Eagle. She was also seen on the front row of the Versace and Kenzo shows.
She then became the new face of artist and photographer Petra Collins’ brand I’m Sorry, in a collection released on the platform SSENSE and in collaboration with Mimi Wade. That campaign was shot by photographer Richard Kern.
Addison Rae’s acting debut
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, the new actress’ popularity remained untarnished. She appeared in the horror film Thanksgiving(2023), alongside Patrick Dempsey. Besides, she will soon be starring in the Netflix live-action comedy Animal Friends (2025), with Ryan Reynolds and Aubrey Plaza, and in the third season of Ryan Murphy’s series Monsters: The Ed Gein Story.
A promising start to her music career
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.
The blow triggered by Aquamarine
In October 2024, Addison Rae unveiled the single Aquamarine in collaboration with Elvira Anderfjärd. In the music video, she glides through the streets of Paris, spritzing herself with Chanel No. 5 under the direction of filmmaker and photographer Sean Price Williams – known for The Sweet East, released earlier this year and starring Jacob Elordi and Talia Rydar. A hypnotic siren song reminiscent of Kylie Minogue’s dance-pop melodies.
Especially since the track was remixed and titled Arcamarine, in a version inspired by the brilliant Arca. In March 2025, the singer performed the song live for the first time. Invited by Arca to join her on stage at Coachella, Addison Rae made a surprise announcement on the festival stage. To the delight of her fans, she was about to release an album…
Addison, Addison Rae’s brilliant debut album
Her debut album, soberly titled Addison, finally came out in June 2025. And it is already being hailed as one of the best records of the year. It features hits like High Fashion and Headphones On. The latter uncovers how the singer uses music to process some of her most difficult memories, like her parents’ divorce and her struggles with jealousy in past relationships.
Many of the tracks evoke the spirit of Madonna, Lana Del Rey, and Björk. Moreover, Addison Rae captivates us with her visual world, heavily inspired by Britney Spears and her iconic videos. The glossy video for High Fashion, directed by Rosalía‘s and Olivia Rodrigo‘s collaborator Mitch Ryan, features a series of sensual scenes. The singer is lying down, surrounded by luxury shoes, licking sugar from her lips, or twisting her body while the sun sets…
Nominated for “Best New Artist” at the 2026 Grammy Awards, Addison Rae also made a strong impression with the video for Headphones On. Shot in Iceland and directed by Mitch Ryan, the video is as mesmerizing as the track itself. She appears with pink hair blowing in the wind, riding a white horse through violet-hued clouds. This imagery further cements her status as one of today’s pop it-girls. Just like her concert in Paris last September 2025, which was as electrifying as a Britney Spears show…
Indeed, the pop star embarked on her first tour in 2025 and captivated audiences with her dance skills and hypnotic voice. With a minimalist staging, a few dancers, and a lot of lingerie, she stood as a true performer. A remarkable feat for a young woman who simply started out behind a phone screen…
Addison (2025) by Addison Rae, available now.
