On October 2, 2025, the bright lights of late-night television shone squarely on Addison Rae, the TikTok star-turned-pop sensation, as she took to the stage of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. For many viewers, this was more than just another musical performance—it was a defining moment for an artist whose journey has been anything but conventional. Rae, now 25, has spent the last few years rapidly evolving from social media darling to bona fide entertainment multi-hyphenate, and her appearance on Fallon was a showcase of that transformation in real time.
With the studio audience buzzing, Rae began her performance lying face down on the stage, draped in a shimmering gold-sequined gown with playful tassels. As reported by UPI, the singer delivered her hit single "Diet Pepsi" with an ethereal flair, her vocals gliding over the track’s synth-driven beats. The moment felt almost theatrical, with Rae eventually rising, dancing across the studio floor, and—much to the delight of both the crowd and host—ending her set perched atop Jimmy Fallon’s desk. According to Rolling Stone, she even segued into a snippet of her song "New York," making the performance a medley that highlighted both her stage presence and her growing catalog.
After the applause died down, Rae joined Fallon for an interview that offered fans a glimpse into her creative process and personal milestones. The conversation quickly turned to her debut album, Addison, which dropped in June 2025. Rae admitted that her path to a record deal was unorthodox, telling Fallon, "I had colors printed out, and I had words printed out...I was like, 'I don't have the music because I haven't been able to go into the studio.' But I was like, 'I know exactly what I want to do,' and I was like, 'Here's 50 words that are describing how the music's going to make you feel, and here's 10 colors.'" She added with a laugh, "I'm really good at convincing people to believe me." This candid admission, as reported by UPI, captured the confidence and vision that have fueled Rae’s ascent in the music industry, even before she had a single track recorded.
Rae’s appearance on Fallon was also something of a birthday celebration. Turning 25, she reflected on what aging means to her, sharing, "I actually love aging. I think aging is amazing. I'm like, 'Oh yeah, everything just feels like it matters much less when you get older. Yeah, actually, anything goes.' As long as I'm surviving, I'm good." Her words struck a chord with viewers—many of whom have followed her since her teenage years on TikTok—revealing a maturity and self-awareness that belies her pop persona.
During the interview, Rae reminisced about her own starstruck moments as a fan. She recounted attending a Justin Bieber concert as a young girl and the lengths she went to in hopes of catching his attention. "Just seeing him on stage, I was dying," she told Fallon. "But also just like, 'Wow, one day that'll be me up there in the levitating heart.'" She and her cousins even created a chant: "We've got Bieber fever. It's 102. And the only way to cure it is to go backstage with you." Rae laughed as she admitted, "It didn't work. Epic fail." The story not only endeared her to the audience but also underscored how far she’s come—from fan in the stands to star on the stage.
The release of Addison in June 2025 marked a significant milestone in Rae’s career. According to Rolling Stone, the album’s rollout was meticulously planned, with Rae teasing new music as early as June 2024. She posted a video of herself underwater, soundtracked by the then-unreleased track "Aquamarine," building anticipation among her millions of followers. The lead single, "Diet Pepsi," dropped in August 2025 and quickly became a fan favorite, followed by the official release of "Aquamarine" a few months later. Each of the five singles from the album was accompanied by its own music video, a testament to Rae’s commitment to visual storytelling and her understanding of the digital landscape.
But Rae’s ambitions don’t stop at music. As Rolling Stone reports, she recently appeared in the trailer for Monster: The Ed Gein Story, the latest installment in Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan’s true crime anthology for Netflix. The series, which premiered on October 4, 2025, follows previous seasons centered on Jeffrey Dahmer and the Menendez Brothers. In this new chapter, Rae takes on the role of Evelyn Hartley, a teenage girl who went missing in 1953 and became one of Gein’s alleged victims. She stars alongside Charlie Hunnam as Ed Gein and Laurie Metcalf as Gein’s mother, bringing a chilling real-life story to a new generation of viewers. For Rae, it’s another bold step into the world of acting, expanding her resume and challenging the boundaries of her public persona.
Rae’s journey to stardom has been anything but linear. She first captured the public’s imagination with her viral dance videos on TikTok, quickly amassing a following that now numbers in the tens of millions. But rather than resting on her laurels, Rae has consistently sought out new creative challenges—whether that’s launching a music career with Columbia Records or stepping into dramatic roles on screen. Her ability to navigate these transitions with apparent ease speaks to both her adaptability and her keen sense for opportunity.
Of course, Rae’s rapid rise hasn’t been without its skeptics. Some critics have questioned whether social media fame translates to lasting success in more traditional entertainment fields. Yet, as her performance on Fallon and her growing list of accomplishments suggest, Rae is determined to prove that she’s more than just a fleeting internet sensation. Her willingness to experiment, take risks, and—perhaps most importantly—embrace vulnerability in front of millions has made her a compelling figure in today’s pop culture landscape.
In a media environment where authenticity is often in short supply, Rae’s openness about her journey, her fears, and her ambitions resonates with fans and newcomers alike. Whether she’s belting out a pop anthem, sharing stories of childhood dreams, or tackling challenging roles on screen, she does so with a blend of confidence and humility that’s hard to fake.
As Rae continues to evolve, one thing is clear: she’s not content to be defined by any single platform or genre. With a debut album making waves, a high-profile acting role, and a late-night performance that’s already being talked about as a career highlight, Addison Rae is charting her own course—one dazzling, unpredictable step at a time.
