So... We Like Addison Rae Now?

If you had told us –just a few years ago– that, out of all the questionable attempts to transition from viral fame to a music career in the Tiktok-To-Spotify pipeline, Addison Rae would be the only one to make it, we would have laughed in your face. But, well, here we are.

Addison Rae shot by Tyrell Hampton for Interview.

Ah, TikTok: the land of viral songs, preposterous POV videos, and, apparently, the next big thing on the road to superstardom – or so they thought. You’ve seen them: the pretty faces who’ve made a name for themselves by dancing to the latest bangers or showing off impeccable lip-sync skills (with a side of trendy Y2K fashion, of course). Their audiences are in the millions, their #FYPs blessed with likes, and yet, when it comes to the music industry, these TikTok sensations are finding out the hard way that viral fame doesn’t always translate into chart-topping hits. The dream of adding "pop star" to their bios has left more than a few feeling the sting of reality.

Let’s talk about one such phenomenon who took the plunge: Bella Poarch. With some of the most-liked videos on the platform and a vibe that could best be described as "manga doll meets moody chic", Bella broke the internet with her infectious cuteness. Her debut single, "Build a B*tch", was expected to slay. It had all the right ingredients: a strong visual, catchy lyrics, and enough autotune to make even Siri jealous. But while the song made some waves, critics (and listeners) were left wondering whether the novelty would last. Bella was great at crafting 15-second snippets that captivated attention but struggled to keep that momentum alive in a full-length track. It wasn’t exactly a flop, but it certainly wasn’t the domination of the music scene some might have anticipated. And while Bella’s music career hasn’t crashed and burned (yet), there’s a reason she hasn’t dethroned Billie Eilish.

And how could we possibly forget Dixie D’Amelio, who’s practically TikTok royalty (sister of the most-followed Charli, in case you’ve been living under a social media rock). She launched her music career with "Be Happy", a brooding pop tune that came out of left field. With lyrics like "Sometimes I don’t wanna be happy", it aimed for a sad-girl vibe but landed somewhere between "sleepy" and "meh". Dixie’s attempt, while not as spectacularly atrocious as those of some of her peers, felt like a textbook example of something that looked great on paper but failed to make waves. Most of all, though, it highlighted one peculiar aspect which Dixie had been able to conceal in her online presence: she’s dreadfully plain, and this lack of personality was on full display in her debut song.

Now, does anyone remember Addison Rae’s debut single, "Obsessed"? No? Well, you’re not alone. The TikTok darling, with her sun-kissed, all-American good looks and dazzling dance moves attempted to parlay her social media fame into a music career, and let’s just say… the world wasn’t exactly obsessed. The track included the infamous line “You say you're obsessed with me/so I took a second, and I said me too”. Cue the collective cringe. The song had all the glittery gloss of a pop hit but none of the substance, leaving critics, fans, and pretty much anyone with ears asking: "Is this for real?". TikTok queen’s debut was met with mockery, memes, and a whole lot of shade. Some even wrote her off as another influencer-turned-wannabe-pop-star, doomed to forever sit in the “oh honey, no” section of the music world. In hindsight, the song was camp, but the world of 2021 wasn’t ready to have that conversation.  It seemed like Addison’s foray into music was destined to be a one-hit wonder – minus the hit.

Upon the release of the song, Ms Addison was relentlessly ridiculed by the internet. Collectively. But nevertheless, she persisted. Being the social media phoenix she is, she did what she does best: she stayed unbothered and kept going. Fast-forward to 2023, and the girl was back, stronger than ever. Addison Rae 2.0 was here to climb the charts. With some of her latest releases, including viral bops “2 Die 4” and “I Got It Bad”, Addison has transformed from TikTok novelty act into a legitimate pop contender, racking up streams and gaining new traction. Her new music was catchier, more confident, and had a maturity that no one thought she could be able to harness. 

But just when we thought Addison Rae had reached her pop princess peak, 2024 came along and proved that the Obsessed girl is just getting started. First, she made an incredible power move teaming up again with Charli XCX, reigning queen of Brat summer and avant-pop trendsetter. The two had previously collaborated on Addison’s “2 Die 4”, and in March of this year, Charli released a remix of “Von Dutch”, the lead single from her latest, career-defining album, featuring none other than Addison Rae. At one point in the song, Rae lets out a high-pitched scream, made instantly iconic by a TikTok shared by Charli which showed her and Rae in the studio, capturing the exact moment when Rae decided to scream during the recording session.

The real chef’s kiss of 2024, however, is Addison’s latest single, “Diet Pepsi”, her first official release under Columbia records. An absorbing midtempo song about “young lust” (not young love, as Rae is quick to clarify), the track is perfect fusion of nostalgic imagery and modern pop sensibility, reminiscent of a Lana del Rey-inspired celebration of hedonism, freedom, rebellion, and unapologetic fun. Rae’s whispery vocals on “Diet Pepsi” evoke the sultry, bright and almost optimistic vision of Americana iconography. 

The music video is equally iconic. Indie director Sean Price Williams took the helm for visuals, where Rae moves seductively, striking playful poses for the camera, moving around leather seats, draping herself in the American flag and licking whipped cream off ice cream sundaes. It’s sticky, it’s sensual, and it’s all paying off, with the song reaching a new peaks on the global Spotify charts day after day. Most of all, though, it’s strangely refreshing. This type of specific imagery – so prevalent in the early-to-mid 2010s – has all but disappeared from the contemporary pop music scene. So whether it’s truly groundbreaking or a meager nostalgia play, it’s filling a void that so many Tumblr refugees among us have. And we’re here for it, asking for more. 

It's wild to think that just a few years ago, people didn’t think Addison Rae would make it past one semi-viral (for all the wrong reasons) song, and now it looks like she’s the only TikTok star who was able to stick around thus far outside of the internet bubble. We don’t know for sure what the future has in store for her. But for the time being, one thing is clear: she’s a cool kid now, and whatever is next, we’re looking forward to it.