Long seen as the quintessential TikTok influencer, Addison Rae has evolved dramatically, winning over even the more alternative crowd.
Rising to fame on TikTok, Rae quickly amassed millions of followers. She then cultivated friendships with A-listers, making her way onto mainstream shows like The Kardashians.
But this past year marked a distinct shift in her persona—a shift that has captivated fans and skeptics alike.
Eclectic Music Tastes
One of those moments came when she revealed in an interview that she listens to Arca, the avant-garde electronic artist.
Arca must have heard Rae was a fan. This week, videos began circulating around social media showing Arca dancing to a remix of Addison Rae’s recently released single Aquamarine—in concert.
Fans were pleasantly surprised by this unexpected reveal, noting its departure from her early social media persona. For many, it started to crack the mold of how they’d perceived Rae and opened up a fresh dialogue around her—and, perhaps, even respect from some former skeptics.
That subtle shift in her public image began drawing new fans, including those who once found her hard to take seriously.
New Look, Charli XCX
Rae’s fashion choices have fueled this evolution, too. In a viral paparazzi moment, she was photographed casually eating shaved ice in an outfit that was anything but: short shorts, a Lady Gaga tee, and high heels.
Rather than brushing off the quirky ensemble, many praised her unique style, seeing it as a bold form of self expression.
Her biggest cool factor, however, is her recent Charli XCX feature on a remix of the alt pop star’s song Von Dutch.
When Charli posted a studio video of the two together, fans were sent into a frenzy. The track even includes a moment where Rae screams, something that shattered her image as a bubblegum influencer.
Charli later invited her to perform on stage, where Rae exuded undeniable pop energy—reminiscent of early Britney Spears.
With each new look and collaboration, Rae is shaking off the confines of her TikTok beginnings.
While some may still struggle to see past her TikTok roots, perhaps her growing edge, courtesy of mentors like Charli XCX, adds just enough attitude to make them think twice.
And for all we know, Rae’s pop culture glow-up may just be beginning.
This article is for informational purposes only. Trendy Matters has no affiliation with any of the brands or individuals mentioned, and the views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.
