From TikTok Dancer to Pop Star: Addison Rae Dishes on Early Record Label Deals (and $20 TikToks!)
2025-06-03
AOL
- Addison Rae's TikTok Beginnings: Remember when Addison Rae was just a Gen Z sensation captivating millions with her dance videos? Well, the journey wasn't always glamorous. In a recent interview with The New York Times' Popcast, the singer – whose full name is Addison Rae Easterling – revealed a surprising detail about her early days on the platform.
- The $20 TikTok Deal: Before she was a chart-topping artist with hits like 'Fame Is a Gun,' Addison was getting paid a modest $20 by record labels to create TikTok videos featuring their artists' songs. Yes, you read that right! For a mere twenty euros (or dollars, depending on the currency at the time), labels would enlist her to dance and promote their music to her rapidly growing audience.
- A Strategic Marketing Move: This practice highlights a clever, if somewhat humble, marketing strategy employed by record labels in the early days of TikTok's rise to prominence. Recognizing the platform's power to propel artists to fame, labels sought to leverage popular creators like Addison to boost song visibility.
- From Micro-Payments to Millions: It's a remarkable transformation. What started as small payments for short dance videos has blossomed into a multi-million dollar career for Addison Rae. She's now a successful singer, actress, and businesswoman. Her story is a testament to the power of social media and the evolving landscape of the music industry.
- The Popcast Interview: Addison’s revelation came during a candid discussion on The New York Times' Popcast, where she delved into various aspects of her career and the challenges of navigating fame. The interview offered a fascinating glimpse behind the scenes of a young star's journey to success.
- TikTok's Impact on the Music Industry: Addison's story underscores the profound impact TikTok has had on the music industry. It’s become a crucial platform for music discovery and promotion, and artists and labels alike are constantly adapting to its ever-changing trends. The days of relying solely on traditional radio play are long gone; TikTok is now a key player in breaking new music.
