The stage at The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon gleamed with old Hollywood glamour on October 2, 2025, as Addison Rae—pop star, TikTok alum, and now bona fide headliner—stepped into the spotlight wearing a piece of fashion history. The 24-year-old singer performed her hit single "Diet Pepsi" and a vibrant "New York" dance break in a sparkling gold fringe dress, a garment with a backstory as dazzling as its beadwork. The dress, nearly 70 years old, was originally worn by the legendary burlesque performer Gypsy Rose Lee in the 1950s, and its journey from vintage film to modern pop stage is a testament to the enduring power of showmanship and style.
According to The Way We Wore, the Los Angeles luxury vintage shop that sourced the gown, the dress was first seen in the 1958 film Screaming Mimi, where Gypsy Rose Lee donned it with signature opera gloves and a dramatic fur stole. On Fallon’s stage, Rae made the dress her own, opting for a pared-down look with customized gold high-heeled mules—courtesy of her footwear brand Nou—adorned with amber jewels and her name stamped inside the soles. The effect was both nostalgic and refreshingly current, a nod to vintage glamour with a distinctly modern twist.
Rae’s stylist Dara Allen took to Instagram to share the story behind the look, revealing the dress’s provenance and celebrating the opportunity to bring a piece of burlesque history back to life. "Grateful to @dara._ & the incredible team for bringing us into this moment and to Addison, who is a constant source of inspiration. Your love means the world," posted Nou, the footwear brand, echoing the sense of occasion that surrounded the performance.
The performance itself was anything but subdued. Rae, who has come a long way from her early viral dance videos, delivered a high-energy medley, twirling, shimmying, and even hopping onto Fallon’s desk, according to Xodivad. Her stage presence was undeniable—she shimmered under the lights, the gold fringe of her dress swinging in time with every move. As Xodivad described, the dress felt like the "embodiment of the city itself," and Rae’s confidence marked her full arrival as a pop star.
But the moment was more than just a fashion statement. It was a full-circle tribute to Gypsy Rose Lee, one of the 20th century’s most iconic burlesque performers. Lee, known for her witty stripteases and magnetic stage presence, was more than just a showgirl—she was a bestselling author, penning the 1941 mystery The G-String Murders and the memoir Gypsy. The latter chronicled her tumultuous early life and was later adapted into a hit Broadway musical and a film starring Natalie Wood. Today, the silver version of the same dress Rae wore is owned by Dita von Teese and displayed at the Burlesque Hall of Fame in Las Vegas, a testament to its enduring legacy.
For Rae, stepping into Lee’s dress was more than a sartorial choice—it was a chance to channel the spirit of a true stage diva. As The Way We Wore put it on Instagram, "To see this piece of history shimmering under the stage lights again felt like pure fashion alchemy." They added, "We’re head over heels for this Old Hollywood moment reborn as a modern pop phenomenon. Endless gratitude to @dara._ and the dream team for believing in the power of vintage and letting this gown sparkle into the spotlight once more."
Rae’s performance on The Tonight Show was just one stop in a whirlwind week for the singer. Between sold-out concerts in New York and a packed touring schedule that includes upcoming shows in Boston, Philadelphia, Toronto, Chicago, Denver, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and even an Australian leg, Rae has firmly cemented her place in the pop music landscape. During her interview with Fallon, she discussed her friendship with pop queen Charli XCX, the massive success of her debut album Addison, and her anticipation for her upcoming solo debut at Coachella. Each topic underscored her rapid ascent from internet fame to the upper echelons of the music industry.
For fans, the Tonight Show performance was a chance to witness Rae’s evolution firsthand. Gone are the days when she was simply known for TikTok dances—now, she’s headlining major venues, selling out shows, and commanding the attention of both the fashion and music worlds. Her willingness to embrace vintage glamour, while still making it her own, speaks to her unique position as a bridge between eras. She’s not afraid to reference the past, but she does so with a wink and a nod, ensuring that every look and every performance feels unmistakably hers.
The choice of the Gypsy Rose Lee dress was especially fitting, given the parallels between Lee’s career and Rae’s own trajectory. Both women found fame on the stage, both understood the power of reinvention, and both captured the public’s imagination in their respective eras. Lee’s life story, marked by resilience and reinvention, continues to resonate today, not least because of the enduring popularity of the musical Gypsy, which still runs in theaters around the world.
For the team at The Way We Wore, seeing the dress return to the spotlight was a moment of pride. The shop, known for its meticulously curated vintage pieces, has long championed the idea that fashion is more than just clothing—it’s a living archive of stories, personalities, and cultural shifts. Their Instagram tribute captured the excitement: "Endless gratitude to @dara._ and the dream team for believing in the power of vintage and letting this gown sparkle into the spotlight once more."
As Rae continues her tour, fans can expect more moments that blend history with modernity, performance with authenticity. Her Tonight Show appearance was a reminder that the right dress, in the right hands, can do more than just dazzle—it can connect generations, spark conversation, and, for a few shining minutes, make history shimmer again under the stage lights.
In a world where pop stars are often defined by fleeting trends, Addison Rae’s embrace of vintage glamour and her tribute to a burlesque legend stand out as a celebration of continuity and creativity. For one night in New York, the past and present danced together, and the result was pure magic.
