Reimagining Pop Stardom

What does it take to break free from the influencer-to-pop star mold? I’ve always been a pop music fan, and I stand by this: hating pop music doesn’t make you edgy or unique. Pop’s staying power lies in its emotional connection—it speaks to universal experiences like love, heartbreak, and ambition. These themes resonate with people across all backgrounds, creating moments of shared humanity. As Gray Group International explains, "Catchy hooks and repetitive melodies trigger a release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward." This is why we can’t help but sing along or tap our feet when a great pop tune comes on.

While I’ve always appreciated pop icons and trends, I’m not usually one to dive into an influencer-turned-singer’s work. But Addison Rae? She’s different. If you’d told me in 2020, back when she was another TikTok influencer doing viral dances, that I’d be captivated by her music and aesthetic in 2024, I would’ve laughed. Yet here we are. Addison Rae’s style feels like a reimagined tribute to pop divas of the past—low-rise jeans, slip dresses, daring accessories—all tied together with a uniquely modern edge. Her Y2K-inspired looks—complete with shimmering lip gloss, glitzy chokers, and cheeky nods to early-2000s fashion—channel nostalgia while staying fresh. It’s nostalgic yet reinvented. And, above all, it feels like her.

From TikTok Dancer to Emerging Artist

When Addison Rae first hit TikTok, she was another viral star—pretty, charming, and captivating. Her magnetic smile, expressive eyes, and effortless dance moves made her feel approachable yet mesmerizing. She exuded the kind of charisma that made it impossible to scroll past her videos. She was everywhere, yet there wasn’t much depth to her content—this was an era when TikTok influencers felt omnipresent but shallow. By 2024, however, I found myself entranced by her thoughtfully designed pop identity.

So, what changed? In 2022, a set of Addison Rae’s unreleased tracks leaked online, and they were raw, real, and entirely unexpected. These songs hinted at an evolving artist with something to say, breaking free from the viral influencer mold. She wasn’t just chasing trends but building something more refined and intentional. During her Bru on the Radio interview, Addison Rae highlighted the care she took in starting her music career. Reflecting on her early days, she mentioned, “I never wanted people to think I was just doing this for fun. Music has always been something I’ve dreamed of, but I wanted to take my time and get it right.” This mindset shaped her deliberate approach to crafting her artistic identity. Her sound began to balance introspective lyrics with shimmering synths and polished pop appeal. The tracks felt cinematic—layered vocals, dreamy instrumentals, and a production quality that hinted at ambition beyond TikTok fame. Her cover of Lady Gaga‘s Nothing on (But the Radio) showcased her confidence and layered artistry, proving she wasn’t just following trends—she was redefining them.

The Sound That Changed Everything

Released in 2021, Addison Rae’s debut single, Obsessed, felt like another influencer experiment. The catchy track lacked the depth to stand out, leaving her lumped in with TikTokers like Dixie D’Amelio and Avani Gregg, whose musical ventures fizzled out. Though many dismissed Addison’s debut as a fleeting attempt at pop stardom, she used the criticism as fuel to refine her sound and vision. In her Bru on the Radio interview, Addison Rae called Obsessed a key growth moment, saying, 'When I recorded Obsessed, I was still figuring out what I wanted to say as an artist. It was a learning experience, and it pushed me to think deeper about my sound and my message.' This shows how Obsessed marked a turning point in her growth as an artist. Addison Rae didn’t retreat; instead, she doubled down. She studied pop icons like Britney Spears and Madonna, understanding that great artists build more than just music—they create worlds. Taking notes from Charli XCX, who once said, “Music is not important. Artistry is. Not all artists have artistry. A musician creates a song, but an artist creates an entire world. A great artist to me is more than just the songs,” Addison Rae began building a world around her music.

Her 2023 EP AR marked a turning point. Inspired by 2014 Tumblr aesthetics, it paired soft-focus visuals and pastel tones with introspective, polished pop tracks. The EP’s visuals felt like snapshots from an indie dreamscape—vintage denim, cowboy boots, and sunlit backdrops reminiscent of a forgotten road trip. They evoked a sense of longing for self-discovery.

By 2024, her single Diet Pepsi became the moment that solidified her rebrand. Its shimmering synths, playful yet introspective lyrics, and themes of youthful rebellion created a confident and magnetic sound. The accompanying music video opens with Addison Rae lounging in a retro diner booth, sipping a soda as neon signs flicker overhead, blending vintage Americana with vintage cinematic visuals. Her sequined mini-dress and bold winged eyeliner perfectly balance gritty charm and polished allure while evoking a dreamy yet rebellious aesthetic that complements the song’s nostalgic undertones. Her music videos don’t just accompany her songs—they expand on their themes, fusing film-inspired storytelling with immersive, fashion-forward visuals. In Diet Pepsi, subtle nods to classic Americana culture—vintage jukeboxes, chrome diner finishes, and a playful cheerleader routine—intertwine with high-fashion influences, creating a seamless blend of pop nostalgia and modern reinvention

Crafting a Pop Persona

Addison Rae’s transformation wasn’t just about music—it was about creating a cohesive world. Every detail, from her album visuals to her Instagram feed, feels deliberate and part of a larger narrative. Her social media presence often feels like an open diary, with behind-the-scenes glimpses and candid captions that invite fans to share in her creative process, fostering a sense of intimacy and collaboration. She shared, 'Every visual we create is intentional. I want my fans to feel like they’re stepping into my world—nostalgic but also new, bold, and playful.' This philosophy drives her immersive approach to storytelling through fashion and visuals. In Aquamarine, for instance, Addison Rae dons a shimmering mermaid-inspired dress with cascading sequins, standing against dreamy, ethereal underwater landscapes. The visuals alone tell a story of transformation and self-discovery. Each project—whether Aquamarine's underwater dreamscapes or Diet Pepsi's bold Americana—invites fans into a meticulously curated universe. Her style merges Y2K nostalgia with avant-garde twists: metallic fabrics, daring silhouettes, and cinematic visuals. She has also embraced archival fashion, wearing vintage pieces from designers such as Jean Louis Scherrer and Gareth Pugh at prestigious events like the LACMA Art and Film Gala and the CFDA Awards. Her media appearances, including features in high-fashion magazines like CR Fashion Book and Vogue, further solidify her evolution into a style icon. Addison Rae’s embrace of Y2K trends and her fusion of influencer culture with high-fashion aesthetics reflect broader cultural shifts, where digital creators increasingly redefine traditional notions of celebrity. This isn’t just pop stardom; it’s an immersive experience that makes fans feel like they’re part of her story.

Collaborations with respected artists like Charli XCX further validated Addison Rae’s artistic evolution. Charli’s futuristic approach to pop added credibility to Addison’s music, making her part of a more experimental, innovative pop sphere. This alignment wasn’t accidental—it felt like a calculated move, but one that paid off by elevating her work and expanding her audience beyond TikTok fans.

Defining a New Era with Aquamarine

Aquamarine, released in October 2024, cemented Addison Rae’s artistic evolution. The track’s dreamy instrumentals and introspective lyrics revealed a moody, ethereal side to her work, contrasting the upbeat energy of Diet Pepsi. Lines like “The world is my oyster, baby, come touch the pearl” balance cheeky charm with seductive mystery, while the music video’s underwater visuals feel like a fever dream, pulling fans deeper into her universe. The scenes shift between glowing aquatic landscapes, Addison Rae submerged in iridescent waters, and flashes of shimmering metallics that evoke a siren’s ethereal call. Aquamarine’s visuals juxtapose delicate underwater sequences, where she glides through shimmering, ethereal landscapes, with striking moments of bold makeup and metallic costuming, emphasizing her transformation from a TikTok star into a polished pop icon.

The song’s lush production and siren-like vocals invited comparisons to Britney Spears in the Zone era, while its cinematic styling showcased Addison Rae’s willingness to take risks. Her collaboration with Arca on the remix, Arcamarine, added a surreal, avant-garde edge, blending glitchy visuals with bold choreography. The remix video featured dreamlike distortions—Addison Rae and Arca in iridescent costumes, surrounded by pulsating neon lights and abstract underwater choreography. The video’s recurring imagery of pearls and flowing water symbolizes themes of transformation and self-discovery. At the same time, the final sequence, where she emerges from the depths in a bold metallic gown, underscores her reinvention as an artist with a defined visual identity. 'The water imagery felt so freeing to me. It’s about transformation and letting go of fear—showing that I’m ready to dive deeper, both as an artist and as a person.” This was more than just a music release—it was a full artistic statement.

Building Momentum

Addison Rae’s rise hasn’t been without challenges, but her strategic rebranding positions her for longevity. She has redefined her image by stepping back from her “always online” persona and embracing a more curated, mysterious presence. The Von Dutch A.G. Cook Remix, featuring Addison Rae and her now-viral spontaneous scream, earned a Grammy nomination for Best Remixed Recording, cementing her rising credibility in the pop world.

Every piece of Addison Rae’s work feels like a chapter in a larger narrative—whether it’s a Polaroid-style Instagram post captioned “dreaming in denim” or a cinematic teaser for a new track. Her deliberate balance of style and substance ensures she’s more than a passing trend. Addison Rae isn’t just following in the footsteps of past pop icons; she’s carving out a path entirely on her own.

More Than a Phase

Will Addison Rae’s success last? Absolutely. Her reinvention proves she’s not just an influencer dabbling in music but a serious artist with vision and staying power. With her ability to seamlessly fuse music, fashion, and visual storytelling, she’s poised to evolve even further, potentially shaping the future of pop stardom for a new generation. By blending nostalgia with bold experimentation, she’s created a universe where style, substance, and storytelling coexist seamlessly. Addison Rae isn’t just getting started—she’s building a legacy.

From TikTok Dancer to Pop Star: How Addison Rae Won Me Over

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