Addison Rae Easterling was born October 6, 2000 in Lafayette, Louisiana. At six years old she began competing in dance competitions, and she later joined Louisiana State University to pursue broadcast journalism. But then she began uploading dance videos to TikTok starting July 2019, and the app would go on to change her life forever.
Early Dance Career and TikTok Stardom
* Created her TikTok account in July 2019; she amassed over one million followers in a matter of months
* Decided to drop out of LSU just three months after joining TikTok, citing her content creation as her major
* Short stint living in the creator collective house known as the Hype House in late 2019
* Signed to talent agency WME in January 2020
* As of early 2026, Rae is followed by over 88 million people on TikTok, making her one of the most famous personalities on the app
Film Work and Other Ventures
Once Rae gained traction on TikTok, she began appearing in acting roles and other business endeavors:
* 2021 — Had a lead role in the Netflix film He's All That (as Padgett), which was the platform's most-streamed movie during release week. The film was Netflix's reboot of the 1999 teen comedy She's All That .
* 2023 — Had a role in the slasher film Thanksgiving as Gaby.
* 2025 — Starred as Evelyn Hartley in season three of Netflix anthology series Monster .
* 2027 (upcoming) — Has an upcoming role alongside Will Arnett and Maya Hawke in Yes, God, Yes
Music: Becoming a Pop Sensation
Rae’s breakout music career would follow her viral fame on TikTok:
* Released debut single “ Obsessed ” in 2021
* Launched debut EP AR in 2023 after previously-leaked tracks went viral
* Signed to Columbia Records in 2024 and released the single “ Diet Pepsi ,” which later went platinum by the RIAA and allowed Rae to chart for the first time on the Billboard Hot 100.
She followed this debut up with the release of her debut studio album, Addison, on June 4, 20 25:
* Charted at number four on the Billboard 200
* Was reviewed favorably by publications such as The Guardian, The Washington Post, and The Fader, which later ranked it among its best albums of 2025
* Led to Rae being nominated for Best New Artist at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards in November 20 25; at the awards three months later, she performed as a part of a group of nominee medleys
* Was promoted via her first-ever headlining tour, the Addison Tour , which took place from August to November 20 25 across Europe, North America, and Australia
Popularcritics have taken note of her rapid pivot toward music and how her sound has changed since her initial releases. Reviews of Addison commented on her embracing more niche genres like synth- pop and electropop as compared to her earlier dance-centric music. Many of these reviews noted the vocal and stylistic similarities to pop icon Britney Spears, who Rae has spoken about being inspired by, alongside artists like Charli XCX and Madonna.
Personal Life and Influencer Activities
While dancing has played a key role in her professional career, Rae has received recognition for her fashion. Her style is part of what journalists have identified as a larger resurgence of Y2K-era aesthetics, including low-rise pants, chunky/"wang" headphones, and belly button piercings.
Outside of entertainment, Rae has founded or collaborated on businesses like:
* Item Beauty, a cosmetics line co-founded by Rae that was discontinued in 2023
* Her own fragrance line
* Brand deals with apparel companies like Lucky Brand, beauty company L’Oréal, and fitness apparel retailer Lululemon
Rae has been involved in a variety of social issues and political actions, such as:
* Showing support for trans rights in 2025
* Advocating for immigrant communities during demonstrations against U.S. immigration authorities
* Winning a 2026 copyright dispute when a federal agency used her song “ Diet Pepsi ” in a promotional video without her permission. The video was removed after she earned her release from the agreement.
From dance videos to feature films and studio albums, Addison Rae has come a long way since creating her TikTok account. One of many entertainers to find fame on the app, she stands out among those who have furthered their reach into mainstream culture.
