The rebranding of Addison Rae

Don’t know about y’all but I’ve been singing "High Fashion" ALL WEEKEND.

I’m not even usually a pop girl. But there’s something about Addison Rae's rise to cool that needs to be studied.

Once upon a time in TikTok, Addison Rae was just another influencer. One of the apps’ earliest success stories, her rise to fame consisted of quick-hit lip syncs and dances with others in the space Charli D’Amelio. Famous, yes. Fun? Absolutely. And that’s about as far as her impact went.

However, over the last year, Addison Rae has done what so many social media stars fail to do. She’s pulled a full 180, successfully rebranding herself into an actual Hollywood It-Girl. And that pivot is nothing short of genius. So, let’s break it down.

Social media stardom is a double-edged sword.

The same platform that made you famous can churn you out into yesterday’s news quicker than you can say Renegade. The influencer-to-obscurity pipeline is real. And Addison Rae was dangerously close to becoming a casualty.

Her 2021 Netflix rom-com He’s All That was widely panned, painting her as just another TikToker trying (and failing) to break into Hollywood. But instead of fading into irrelevance, she made a sharp left turn.

Rather than chasing every mainstream opportunity thrown her way, it appears Addison pivoted towards more curated projects.

Hey role in Eli Roth’s Thanksgiving was an unexpected but strategic move that’s put her in an entirely new lane. And now, with a role in The Sweet East and an upcoming film with Lena Dunham, she’s inching her way into indie cred—a crucial ingredient for any pop star-to-actor pipeline.

We all love an underdog. Addison trading in high-gloss, teen-movie aesthetics for roles that have an air of artistic credibility is the most effortless rise to it-girl I didn’t know I needed.

A24, the official stamp of “cool” in film has embraced her. And that association alone shifts her image from “TikTok starlet” to “serious actress in the making.” It’s the same playbook Zendaya and Timothée Chalamet used, and it’s working for Addison, too.

High fashion has a way of anointing the next generation of icons.

Once Addison started sitting front row at Versace and walking runways, it became clear that the industry no longer saw her as just a social media influencer. She’s graced the covers of Elle, Wonderland, and CR Fashion Book, all of which signal a transition from viral sensation to legitimate star.

When brands like Gucci and Saint Laurent put her in campaigns, they sent the message that she’s not an internet personality. She’s a cultural figure. But wait, there’s more.

We love a multi-faceted girly. Addison has quietly and gracefully taken over the pop space over the last three years. And she’s hit the holy trinity: “Diet Pepsi”, “Aquamarine” and now “High Fashion” are three certified bangers that have solidified her place as the sultry pop princess we’ve come to know and love.

With co-signs from hyperpop legends like Charli XCX, she’s carved out a niche that oozes pop in a way that we haven’t seen since Britney. With the release of “High Fashion”, Addison is doubling down on the music industry—and people are finally taking her seriously. Because, well, it’s good.

And it’s more than a song. It’s a statement.

Everything about its release has been carefully crafted to align with her new image. The visuals, the styling, the sound—it’s all Addison Rae 2.0. And I freaking love her. This isn’t a TikToker dropping a track for fun. This is an artist making a calculated move into the pop landscape, proving she belongs in the conversation.

My takeaways from this majorly iconic rebrand?

• Know when to pivot. If your first mainstream success flops, pick yourself up and try again. Only from a different, unexpected angle.

• Curate, don’t chase. Not every opportunity is worth taking. Saying yes to everything dilutes credibility. Selectivity is power.

• Everyone loves a redemption arc. Reinventing yourself after a stumble makes people root for you.

• Build authenticity. Align with cultural tastemakers who can vouch for your cool factor.

Addison Rae’s glow-up from TikTok darling to rising pop star proves that reinvention is possible—but only if done right.

By making smart, unexpected choices and embracing cultural credibility over viral relevance, she’s managed to turn skepticism into stardom. She’s a brand, a musician, and a case study in how to play the long game.

-Sophie, Writer