Addison Rae: The Pop Star We Didn’t See Coming

By Luca Sever

Creative Member

When you think of a pop icon, Addison Rae may not be the first person who comes to mind. However, she’s quickly redefining herself as one of pop’s most intriguing rising stars. Addison Rae was once a popular TikTok star, creating videos alongside other members of the content group The Hype House, including Charlie D’Amelio, Josh Richards, and other influencers. While many of them have also attempted to launch music careers–some successfully and some not so much–Addison is currently kicking off her world tour, already setting new standards in the performance industry.

Photo courtesy of Pinterest

Addison Rae Easterling grew up in Louisiana before moving to Los Angeles to pursue opportunities that TikTok fame had suddenly put within reach. Back in 2019 and 2020, her viral dances and bubbly personality quickly made her one of the most followed creators on the platform. That era of her career was marked by playful, wholesome content with trendy outfits and the archetype of a “girl-next-door” influencer. However, relevancy in this era of social media doesn’t last forever, and Addison, wanting to create a name for herself outside of just an app, knew a rebrand was not far off. 

In 2021, Addison dipped her toes into the pop world with her debut single “Obsessed.” The track showcased her potential but also revealed the challenges of transitioning from influencer to artist. Some audiences applauded her boldness, while others weren’t ready to take her seriously as a musician. Instead of quitting altogether, Rae strategically pulled back, working quietly on her music while allowing the initial attention to settle.

Photo courtesy of Euphoria Magazine

Fast-forward to Rae's recent resurgence in the media beginning in early 2024, and the person we see is entirely different. Her rebrand leans heavily into a darker, moodier aesthetic that aligns more closely with current pop trends, while also adopting a unique and edgy look that isn’t as mainstream, unlike major artists Tate McRae and Sabrina Carpenter. She has worked to align herself more with alternative and funky pop artists, such as Charli XCX, with whom she specifically collaborated on the “Von Dutch” remix, revealing a whole new side to Addison and breaking boundaries in the pop diva landscape. 

Now, Addison Rae has also kicked off her debut headlining tour, called The Addison Tour, which launched on August 25, 2025, in Dublin and will go through North America, Europe, and Australia. Her live show fully leans into her rebrand, featuring theatrical staging, bold visuals, choreography and moments of playful spectacle. Among the songs she’s performing are her breakout singles like “Diet Pepsi”, which marked her return to music in 2024, as well as more recent tracks from her debut album, Addison, like “High Fashion,” “Headphones On,” and “Fame Is a Gun,” all featured in her setlist. Through this tour, Addison is showing fans that she’s serious about her identity as a live performer, not just a studio artist, putting her rebrand to the test in real time and giving audiences a new look at who she wants to be.