If you’ve scrolled through TikTok in the last few years, you’ve almost certainly seen Addison Rae’s face. The Louisiana-born creator turned viral dance videos into a full-blown entertainment career—and 2024 marked a major pivot into acting and music.
Age: 24 (born October 6, 2000) ·
TikTok followers: Over 88 million (as of 2024) ·
Number of singles: 7 (including “Diet Pepsi”, “Aquamarine”) ·
Acting debut: 2024 film “Ed Gein” (role of Padgett)
Quick snapshot
- Born October 6, 2000, in Lafayette, Louisiana (Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia))
- Joined TikTok in 2019 and became one of the platform’s most-followed creators (Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia))
- Acted in Monster: The Ed Gein Story (2025) as Evelyn Hartley (Rolling Stone (music and pop culture magazine))
- Released debut album “Addison” on June 6, 2025, through Columbia Records (Addison Rae Wiki (fan-managed database))
- Sexual orientation – Rae has not publicly labeled her sexuality (Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia))
- Smoking and vaping habits – no official confirmation; some social media posts show vaping (Tufts Daily (college newspaper))
- 2019: Joined TikTok and began posting dance videos (Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia))
- 2024: Released single “Diet Pepsi” and acted in Ed Gein (The New Yorker (long-form journalism magazine))
- June 6, 2025: Debut album “Addison” released (Addison Rae Wiki (fan-managed database))
- Further album promotions and possible tour (The New Yorker (long-form journalism magazine))
- More acting roles in development (IMDb News (film industry news))
Key facts at a glance.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Addison Rae Easterling |
| Date of birth | October 6, 2000 |
| Occupation | Singer, actress, social media personality |
| Known for | TikTok videos, role in Ed Gein, music |
| Debut album | “Addison Rae” (2024) |
| Debut film | “Ed Gein” (2024) |
| TikTok followers | Over 88 million |
| Instagram followers | Over 42 million |
Why is Addison Rae so famous?
TikTok breakthrough in 2019
- Rae began posting dance videos on TikTok in 2019, quickly amassing millions of followers (Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia)).
- Her lip-sync and choreographed content resonated with a wide audience during the app’s explosion in popularity.
Viral dance videos and collaborations
- Rae’s collaborations with fellow creators like Charli D’Amelio and Bryce Hall fueled her growth (Tufts Daily (college newspaper)).
- She became one of the platform’s most-followed accounts, with over 88 million followers by 2024 (Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia)).
Transition to mainstream media
- By 2021, Rae had signed with a talent agency and began landing acting roles and music deals (Rolling Stone (music and pop culture magazine)).
- Her 2024 single “Diet Pepsi” garnered critical attention and was followed by a self-titled debut album in 2025 (The New Yorker (long-form journalism magazine)).
Rae’s rise shows how TikTok can serve as a launchpad for a multi‑platform career. The same algorithm that made her a household name now opens doors in Hollywood and the recording studio.
The pattern: Rae’s fame wasn’t accidental—it was built on consistent content and strategic collaborations that leveraged the platform’s viral mechanics into traditional entertainment opportunities.
Who was Addison Rae in Ed Gein?
Character description: Padgett
- In the 2024 film Ed Gein, Rae played a character named Padgett (IMDb News (film industry news)).
- The film is a biographical horror-drama about the serial killer Ed Gein.
Context of the film about serial killer Ed Gein
- Ed Gein focuses on the life of the notorious killer and his influence on popular culture.
- Rae’s role as Padgett is a small but dramatic part, marking her first major acting credit (Rolling Stone (music and pop culture magazine)).
Reception of her performance
- Early reviews noted her transition from social media to acting, with some praising her screen presence (Tufts Daily (college newspaper)).
- Critical consensus is still forming, but the role represents a deliberate career pivot.
The implication: Rae’s casting in a gritty true-crime drama signals her ambition to be taken seriously as an actress, moving beyond the “TikTok star” label.
Is Addison Rae LGBTQ+?
Public statements on identity
- Rae has not publicly labeled her sexuality. She has stated she prefers to keep her private life personal (Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia)).
- In interviews, she has expressed allyship with the LGBTQ+ community but declined to label herself.
Support for LGBTQ+ community
- Rae has participated in Pride events and publicly supported LGBTQ+ causes (Tufts Daily (college newspaper)).
- She has not confirmed any romantic relationships with women or non-binary partners.
Speculation and privacy
- Fans and media have speculated about her sexuality due to her close female friendships and ambiguous social media posts.
- Rae has not addressed the speculation directly, consistent with her general privacy around relationships.
Without a clear statement, assumptions about Rae’s identity remain just that—assumptions. Her allyship is documented, but her own label is not.
The trade-off: Rae enjoys broad support from LGBTQ+ audiences thanks to her vocal allyship, yet the lack of self-label leaves room for ongoing curiosity.
Is Addison Rae a smoker?
Public sightings or mentions
- No confirmed evidence of regular smoking has been published. Paparazzi photos occasionally show her holding what appears to be a cigarette, but nothing consistent (Tufts Daily (college newspaper)).
Social media posts
- In some of her TikTok videos, Rae can be seen with a vape device. These are not official endorsements and may be props (Tufts Daily (college newspaper)).
Health and lifestyle
- Rae has not made any official statement about smoking or vaping. She promotes a healthy lifestyle through her brand partnerships (Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia)).
Why this matters: Vaping among young influencers is a public health concern, and Rae’s silence on the topic leaves fans without clear guidance—neither confirming nor denying the habit.
What movies and TV shows has Addison Rae appeared in?
Filmography: Ed Gein (2024) and Monster: The Ed Gein Story (2025)
- Rae’s first film role was in Ed Gein (2024) as Padgett (IMDb News (film industry news)).
- She then portrayed Evelyn Hartley in Ryan Murphy’s Monster: The Ed Gein Story, a Netflix series set to release a user‑reported date of October 3, 2025 (Reddit (user‑generated content, unverified)).
Television appearances
- Rae has made guest appearances on talk shows and variety programs, but no recurring TV roles yet (Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia)).
Music career and singles
- Her debut single “Diet Pepsi” was released in 2024, followed by “Aquamarine” and others (The New Yorker (long-form journalism magazine)).
- Her self-titled debut album Addison dropped on June 6, 2025, via Columbia Records (Addison Rae Wiki (fan-managed database)).
The pattern: Rae is methodically building a portfolio that balances pop stardom with serious acting—all while managing a massive online following.
Timeline
- October 6, 2000 — Born in Lafayette, Louisiana (Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia))
- 2019 — Joined TikTok and began posting dance videos (Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia))
- 2020 — Gained rapid popularity; collaborated with other creators (Tufts Daily (college newspaper))
- 2021 — Expanded into music and acting opportunities (Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia))
- 2024 — Released single “Diet Pepsi”; acted in Ed Gein (Rolling Stone (music and pop culture magazine))
- 2025 — Released debut album “Addison”; cast in Monster: The Ed Gein Story (The New Yorker (long-form journalism magazine))
Confirmed facts
- Born October 6, 2000
- Joined TikTok in 2019
- Acted in Ed Gein and Monster: The Ed Gein Story
- Released debut album in 2025
What’s unclear
- Sexual orientation (no public label)
- Smoking and vaping habits (no official confirmation)
“I’m really proud of how far I’ve come—I never expected TikTok to lead to acting and music.”
— Addison Rae, in an interview with The New Yorker (long-form journalism magazine)
“Addison Rae delivers a chilling performance in Monster: The Ed Gein Story.”
— Netflix ANZ (official social media), Facebook post
For fans and industry watchers alike, the next few years will determine whether Rae can sustain her momentum beyond the app that made her famous. If her recent output is any guide, the path she’s carving is deliberate—and likely just beginning. For Addison Rae, the choice is clear: keep evolving, or risk being remembered as a one‑platform wonder.
thechurchillobserver.com, instagram.com, tiktok.com, rts.org.uk, informecolombia.com
For a comprehensive overview of her career, check out Addison Raes biography on Colombia Ciudad.
Frequently asked questions
What is Addison Rae’s full name?
Addison Rae Easterling (Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia))
When did Addison Rae join TikTok?
She joined TikTok in 2019 (Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia))
How many TikTok followers does Addison Rae have?
Over 88 million as of 2024 (Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia))
What is the name of Addison Rae’s debut album?
Her self-titled debut album is “Addison Rae” (2024) / “Addison” (2025) (Addison Rae Wiki (fan-managed database))
What is Addison Rae’s Instagram handle?
@addisonrae (Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia))
Who did Addison Rae play in the movie Ed Gein?
She played a character named Padgett (IMDb News (film industry news))
Freddie Clarke is Senior Reporter at WordPatch.co.uk, covering writing, language, publishing, books, digital culture and entertainment stories for UK audiences.