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If you had told the general public in 2019 that Addison Rae would have one of the most-streamed albums by a female artist in 2025, many people would not have believed you. Famously known from her start on TikTok, Rae first gained popularity through dance videos on the app and has remained in the pop culture zeitgeist ever since.
The 24-year-old, from Louisiana, has now broken into the music industry with a debut album that has multiple hit songs. With a tour on the horizon and performances with Lana Del Rey under her belt, Addison’s foray into music has left many with questions.
Similarly to when she dipped her toes into acting with her first film, He’s All That. Before starring in the movie, she released her debut single “Obsessed,” and then, when the film came out, she received criticism immediately for doing something other than music. Addison reacted to the criticism during an interview with Zach Sang. “Some people didn’t like the track, some people didn’t like the lyrics. Some people didn’t like that it was me singing it, but it happens,” said Rae.
After releasing “Obsessed” and working on the film, it felt as though Rae was exploring her options as an artist to better understand where her talent would be taken more seriously. After the film received mixed reviews, it seemed as though she was ready to surrender to societal pressures and accept her fate as an influencer.
The pattern of influencers experimenting and trying to understand where their talent fits has always brought criticism and hate towards the artists themselves. There’s simply nothing wrong with someone trying to find their passion, but what makes it difficult is people on the internet trying to make choices about their life for them and discouraging them from following specific paths.
A well-known artist who has transitioned from influencer to singer is Benson Boone. Boone, who quickly rose to fame through TikTok and is known for his American Idol audition, has become one of the biggest stars in the industry for his music in the pop-rock genre. At just 23, Boone has made major pop hits with his two studio albums and has been nominated for numerous awards. For 55 weeks, Boone’s single “Beautiful Things” reached No. 1 on the Billboard charts.
Famously known for his backflips, he has also been receiving hate and criticism for his choices. Whether it’s about his lyrics or the outfits he wears while performing, he is constantly attacked while trying to pursue something he is passionate about. With added pressure to prove he can go from an influencer to a serious musician.
This relates to Rae because it took her single, “Diet Pepsi,” coming out for many people to consider her a serious voice in the music industry. Although people liked this single, the comparison and criticism started flooding in. Many began to compare the breathy vocals on the track “Diet Pepsi,” saying they resemble Lana Del Rey, and many people compared her to Britney Spears due to her fashion choices and how she carries herself. With these comparisons comes the immediate criticism that she’ll never be on the same level as the aforementioned artists. It’s almost as if whatever Rae does as a musician will never be enough for people to give her artistry and the works she’s releasing the credit it deserves.
Luckily, the criticism is not stopping Rae. She continues to make music in the dance-pop and synth-pop categories, has collaborated with Charlie XCX, and recently starred in a music video for Sombr. As she continues to pursue music professionally, she has changed her stage name to just Addison because she feels that she has grown past the moniker Addison Rae. Signifying that she is continuously making choices that feel authentic to her as she creatively evolves.
