Addison Rae: From TikTok Sensation to Grammy-Nominated Pop Artist
Addison Rae’s career has moved through several distinct phases in less than a decade: viral TikTok dancer, budding actress, and now a critically acclaimed pop artist with a Grammy nomination to her name. Her 2025 debut album, Addison, was named one of the best albums of the year by multiple major publications, a result that surprised many who once dismissed her as simply an internet personality. This article covers her early life, education, rise to fame, music and film career, awards, relationships, and where her career stands in 2026.
Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Addison Rae Easterling |
| Born | October 6, 2000, in Lafayette, Louisiana |
| Profession | Singer, songwriter, actress, and social media personality |
| Genres | Pop, dance-pop, synth-pop |
| Education | Calvary Baptist Academy; briefly attended Louisiana State University |
| Parents | Sheri Easterling and Monty Lopez |
| Siblings | Two younger brothers, Lucas and Enzo |
| Label | Columbia Records |
| Notable Works | Debut EP AR (2023), debut studio album Addison (2025), films He’s All That (2021) and Thanksgiving (2023) |
| Major Recognition | Grammy nomination for Best New Artist (2026); named Artist of the Year by The Guardian (2025) |
| Relationship Status | Reportedly single following her split from Omer Fedi in 2025 |
Early Life and Family Background
Addison Rae Easterling was born on October 6, 2000, in Lafayette, Louisiana, to Sheri Easterling and Monty Lopez. She grew up in Lafayette alongside her two younger brothers, Lucas and Enzo. Rae began competitive dancing at the age of six, participating in dance competitions across the United States throughout her childhood, a background she has since credited as a major influence on her approach to music and performance.
Education
Rae attended Calvary Baptist Academy in Louisiana, where she was involved in gymnastics and cheerleading in addition to her competitive dance training. After high school, she enrolled at Louisiana State University, intending to study broadcast journalism with the goal of becoming a sports broadcaster. She left LSU after roughly three months, in November 2019, once her rapidly growing TikTok following made it clear that a full-time move to Los Angeles made more sense for her career at that moment.
Rise to Fame: TikTok and Early Career
Rae joined TikTok in July 2019, posting dance and lip-sync videos set to trending songs. Her following grew rapidly, surpassing one million within a few months. She briefly joined the TikTok collective The Hype House in December 2019. By May 2026, she had amassed more than 88 million followers on the platform, making her one of the most-followed individuals on TikTok worldwide.
Her early career expanded beyond social media relatively quickly. In 2021, she made her acting debut in the Netflix original film He’s All That and released her debut single, “Obsessed,” which received largely negative critical reviews at the time. Rather than retreat from music after that reception, Rae spent the following years developing a more deliberate artistic direction.
Building a Music Career: AR and Early Collaborations
Rae released her debut EP, AR, on August 18, 2023. The project included her debut single along with four additional tracks, including a collaboration with British singer-songwriter Charli XCX, who Rae has said played a significant role in shaping her musical direction going forward. She signed with Columbia Records in late 2023 after label executives were impressed by her creative vision for future projects.
In March 2024, Rae was featured on the remix of Charli XCX’s song “Von Dutch,” which introduced her to a wider pop audience and helped shift public perception of her as a serious music artist rather than simply an online personality. That May, she also appeared on producer A.G. Cook’s song “Lucifer.”
Diet Pepsi and the Path to a Debut Album
Rae released “Diet Pepsi,” her first major-label single, on August 9, 2024. The song became her breakthrough hit, peaking at number 54 on the Billboard Hot 100, reaching the top ten in the United Kingdom, and eventually earning platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America. Several additional singles followed throughout late 2024 and into 2025, including “Aquamarine,” “High Fashion,” “Headphones On,” and “Fame Is a Gun,” each continuing to build critical and commercial momentum ahead of her debut album.
Addison: Debut Studio Album
Rae released her debut studio album, Addison, on June 6, 2025, through Columbia Records. The album was produced primarily by Elvira Anderfjärd and Luka Kloser, who also co-wrote the songs with Rae, drawing on influences from late 1990s and early 2000s pop. The album debuted at number four on the Billboard 200 and reached the top ten in numerous countries, including Australia, Canada, Ireland, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
Addison received widespread critical acclaim. The Washington Post and The Fader both named it the best album of 2025, and The Guardian named Rae its Artist of the Year. To support the album, Rae launched the Addison Tour, her first headlining concert tour, running from August through November 2025, with several venues upgraded due to strong ticket demand. Notably, Rae has said Addison would be the final project released under her full name, with plans to use the mononym Addison going forward.
Grammy Nomination and Awards Recognition
In November 2025, Rae received her first Grammy nomination, for Best New Artist at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards, held in 2026. She performed her song “Fame Is a Gun” as part of a medley with other nominees in the category during the ceremony. Ahead of the nomination, she was invited to join the Recording Academy’s new member class in July 2025, alongside fellow nominee Katseye and comedian Nikki Glaser.
Acting Career
Alongside her music career, Rae has built a steady acting resume. She made her acting debut in the Netflix film He’s All That in 2021 and went on to appear in the horror film Thanksgiving in 2023. While her acting output has been more limited than her music output in recent years, her established film career has continued to support her broader entertainment profile.
Business Ventures and Brand Partnerships
Rae has built multiple business ventures alongside her entertainment career. In 2020, she co-founded the cosmetics and skincare brand Item Beauty, which was discontinued by 2023. In 2021, she launched her own fragrance line, Addison Rae Fragrance, featuring water-based, alcohol-free scents. She has also partnered with major brands including L’Oréal, Lululemon, Reebok, YSL Beauty, and Pandora, and in August 2025 launched a denim collaboration with Lucky Brand centered on early-2000s-inspired styles, expanding the partnership with an additional style in March 2026. In February 2026, she appeared in a Super Bowl LX commercial for Uber Eats alongside Bradley Cooper and Matthew McCo and,ey.
Public2025,ge and Activism
Rae has been open about her effort to move past the “TikTok star” label that once defined public perception of her, and critics have generally credited Addison with successfully repositioning her as a legitimate pop artist. In April 2026, Rae filed a copyright claim after her song “Diet Pepsi” was used without authorization in a recruitment video for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency; the video was subsequently removed following the copyright complaint. In January 2021, she donated $1 million in prize money won from an all-star Mario Tennis Aces charity tournament to No Kid Hungry.
Relationships
Rae’s dating history has drawn significant public attention since her early TikTok fame. Her first widely publicized relationship was an on-and-off romance with fellow social media personality Bryce Hall, which began around 2019 and ended for good in 2021 amid cheating allegations. She was later linked to musician and producer Omer Fedi starting in 2021, and the couple went Instagram official that August. Reports indicate the relationship ended quietly sometime in mid-2025, with the split becoming public in October 2025; sources described the breakup as amicable, with Rae reportedly choosing to focus on her expanding music career. As of early 2026, there have been no confirmed reports of Rae dating anyone new, and she is generally understood to be single.
Current Projects
As of mid-2026, Rae continues to build on the momentum of her Grammy-nominated debut album and expanding brand partnerships. Industry publications have listed her among the year’s most anticipated artists, and social media posts have referenced a potential follow-up project, though no official new album has been formally announced or confirmed through primary sources at the time of writing. Readers should treat any such reports as unconfirmed until an official announcement is made.
Net Worth (Estimated)
According to available published estimates, Addison Rae’s net worth is roughly $25 million, a figure that reflects earnings from her TikTok career, brand partnerships, acting roles, and more recently her music career. Given the significant commercial success of her debut album and tour in 2025, along with several new brand partnerships in 2026, some outlets suggest this figure may understate her current wealth, though no more recent, independently verified estimate is widely available. Readers should treat any specific number as an approximation rather than a confirmed figure.
Interesting Facts
- Rae’s debut single, “Obsessed,” was critically panned upon release in 2021, a contrast to the acclaim that met her 2025 debut album.
- She was previously a competitive dancer, a background she has cited as central to her musical style and stage performance.
- Her 2025 Grammy performance outfit is featured in an exhibit at the Grammy Museum.
- She was briefly a playable character in the mobile game War of the Visions: Final Fantasy Brave Exvius in 2022.
- Rae has said Addison will be the only album released under her full name, with future work billed simply as Addison.
Legacy and Influence
Addison Rae’s career arc, from viral TikTok dancer to Grammy-nominated recording artist, has become a frequently cited example of a social media personality successfully transitioning into a respected creative field. Music critics have specifically highlighted her willingness to embrace vulnerability and reinvention in her songwriting, themes that helped separate Addison from typical influencer-driven music projects. Her continued brand partnerships and fashion presence have also reinforced her broader cultural relevance well beyond her original platform.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Addison Rae? Addison Rae is an American singer, songwriter, and actress who first became famous as a dancer and content creator on TikTok before building a Grammy-nominated music career.
How old is Addison Rae? Addison Rae was born on October 6, 2000, making her 25 years old as of mid-2026.
What is Addison Rae’s debut album called? Her debut studio album, Addison, was released on June 6, 2025, and debuted at number four on the Billboard 200.
Has Addison Rae won a Grammy? As of 2026, she has not won a Grammy but received her first nomination, for Best New Artist, at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards.
Is Addison Rae dating anyone? As of early 2026, there are no confirmed reports of her dating anyone following her 2025 split from producer Omer Fedi. She is generally believed to be single.
What movies has Addison Rae been in? Her film credits include He’s All That (2021) and Thanksgiving (2023).
What is Addison Rae’s net worth? Published estimates place her net worth at roughly $25 million, though this figure may not fully reflect her more recent music and brand earnings, and no more current independently verified estimate is widely available.
Conclusion
Addison Rae’s path from viral TikTok videos to a Grammy-nominated debut album reflects one of the more notable image transformations in recent pop culture. By taking creative control of her music, collaborating closely with a small, trusted group of producers, and leaning into vulnerability in her songwriting, she has managed to build a music career that critics increasingly treat on its own artistic merits. With her acclaimed debut album behind her and continued brand and business ventures ahead, Addison Rae’s 2026 trajectory suggests her reinvention is still very much in progress.
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