More than a TikTok star, she’s a mainstream pop sensation.
By: Ana Grace Anderson
Credit: celebmix.com
If you grew up in the era of TikTok stars and influencers, the name Addison Rae is undoubtedly familiar. From viral TikTok sensation to the current pop “it girl,” Addison Rae has done it all. For those who followed her rise to fame beginning in 2019, it seems she’s lived many lives since. However, it’s clear now that her constant rebranding has been part of an intricate plan to establish herself as a serious artist rather than just an online presence.
Just before the pandemic, Addison premiered her brand on TikTok, creating trending dance videos that quickly catapulted her to fame. By 2020, she’d gained millions of followers and became one of the highest-paid influencers on the app. This new lifestyle brought her immense popularity but also an equal amount of criticism. Many remember the infamous comment sections on videos of new influencers, often filled with disdain for their “pointless content” or “fake careers.” This type of feedback seemed to encourage Addison to shift toward mainstream pop culture.
As part of her rebranding, she began advertising herself through partnerships with popular brands such as American Eagle and Reebok. She then took it a step further by launching her beauty line, Item Beauty. Her broad range of interests and her drive to try new things showed the world her commitment to reinventing herself.
After this phase, Addison made her entry into the entertainment industry. Her TikTok fame led to a starring role in the 2021 Netflix film He’s All That. Unfortunately, the film received negative reviews, with a mere 29% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. However, Addison didn’t let this discourage her. Instead, she shifted the trajectory of her career toward music.
In 2021, Addison released her debut single, Obsessed, which was later included in her 2023 EP, AR. However, it wasn’t until recently that her music career truly began to gain traction. Her new releases, Diet Pepsi and Aquamarine, have become increasingly popular among pop music fans. Transitioning from her TikTok persona to her new, retro “cool girl” image, Addison has shocked her audience with her bold rebrand.
Her recent songs evoke a nostalgic vibe, transporting her audience back to the early 2000s musical era. Whether intentional or not, she’s managed to capture the sounds of 2016 that Gen Z craves, something many other artists have tried and failed to replicate. Her ability to experiment with pop music while creating tracks that feel effortlessly cool has set her apart from other aspiring pop artists in the industry.
Addison also collaborated with mainstream artist Charli XCX on the popular Von dutch a. g. cook remix and 2 die 4. In an October 2024 interview with Sirius XM, Addison reflected on her experience working with Charli saying that Charli has “given [her] so much confidence” and offered “incredible advice in the industry.” It’s clear that Addison has drawn significant inspiration from Charli and is modeling her own brand in a similar direction. Her recent music highlights how women in the industry can support and empower each other to create positive change.
Her audience is certainly impressed with her rebrand, recognizing her commitment to becoming a serious artist. Addison has embraced her genuine personality, appearing much happier and more confident in her presence in the media. It’s clear that there’s much more in store for her career. As her new song says, “The world is [her] oyster.”
Ana Grace Anderson is a second-year journalism major at the University of Florida. She is an online writer for Rowdy Magazine, a blog writer for InTune magazine, an editor for HerCampus UF and a writer for Tower Yearbook. She enjoys writing about all things fashion, pop culture and lifestyle.
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