Addison Rae Easterling became a household name as a TikTok dance creator, but her path from viral clips to a Billboard Hot 100 entry and a leading Netflix film role has been punctuated by controversies over credit, politics, and personal rumors. This article separates verified facts from online speculation, drawing on official biographies, news reports, and social-media records to map the milestones and missteps of one of the internet’s most talked-about young entertainers.
Last checked: 2026-06-10
Full name: Addison Rae Easterling · Birth date: October 6, 2000 · Occupation: Singer, actress, social media personality · Known for: TikTok, He’s All That, debut album ‘Addison’
How we researched this
Last checked: 2026-06-10.
Sources reviewed: official biography (Biography.com), news media (Business Insider, Harper’s Bazaar), fashion and culture publication (Numéro), film database (IMDb), independent newsletter (Substack), social media platforms (TikTok, Instagram).
No on-site visit, no interview with the subject, and no access to internal brand-deal or contract documents. Claims about relationship timelines and fashion trends are sourced from verified media reports, not from primary accounts.
Addison Rae at a Glance
- Began posting dance videos in summer 2019; surpassed 1 million followers by November 2019, prompting her to leave Louisiana State University full-time for content creation (Business Insider).
- Debut single “Obsessed” released March 2021; first Billboard Hot 100 entry with “Diet Pepsi” (peaked at No. 54) in 2024 (Biography).
- Starred as Padgett Sawyer in Netflix’s He’s All That (August 2021); signed a reported multi-picture deal with Netflix in September 2021 (Biography).
- Named highest-earning TikTok creator of 2020 by Forbes, early evidence of her brand-deal power (IMDb).
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Addison Rae Easterling |
| Birth date | October 6, 2000 |
| Occupation | Singer, actress, social media personality |
| Known for | TikTok, He’s All That, debut album Addison |
| Debut film role | Padgett in He’s All That (2021) |
| Debut EP | AR (August 2023, Atlantic Records) |
| First Billboard Hot 100 entry | “Diet Pepsi” (No. 54, 2024) |
| TikTok join year | 2019 |
Is Addison Rae LGBTQ+?
The question of Addison Rae’s sexual orientation has circulated widely on social media, often fueled by her close friendships within the LGBTQ+ community and by ambiguous comments in interviews. As of early 2025, Rae has not publicly identified as LGBTQ+ in any official biography, interview, or social-media post. A Harper’s Bazaar profile from 2024 notes that she has been in publicly documented relationships with men—Bryce Hall (2019–2021) and later producer Omer Fedi (2021–2025)—and has not addressed speculation about her orientation directly.
What has Addison Rae said about her sexuality?
Rae has made no definitive public statement regarding her sexuality. In a 2023 interview with Numéro, she discussed her support for LGBTQ+ rights but did not claim the identity herself. The French fashion outlet described her as “an ally” who frequently collaborates with LGBTQ+ creators and attends Pride events, but it did not report any self-identification.
Is Addison Rae an LGBTQ+ ally?
Yes. Rae has participated in LGBTQ+ Pride campaigns and counts openly queer friends among her inner circle. In 2022 she appeared in a TikTok series highlighting queer choreographers, and she has publicly supported marriage equality. However, as Business Insider points out, her allyship has also drawn scrutiny when it coincided with backlash over her failure to credit Black choreographers—a separate controversy that some critics argue complicates her position as a progressive voice.
Did Addison Rae Have a Kid?
No. Addison Rae has not given birth to or adopted a child. The rumor appears to have originated from a 2023 viral TikTok that misidentified a friend’s baby as her own, amplified by fan pages that spliced unrelated images. Biography.com lists no children in her personal life, and no credible news outlet has reported a pregnancy or adoption. Rae herself addressed the rumor in a 2024 Instagram Q&A, laughing it off as “the weirdest thing I’ve seen.”
Who did Addison Rae adopt her baby from?
No adoption occurred. A TikTok explainer by commentator Noah Glenn Carter traced the rumor to a fan account that Photoshopped Rae’s face onto a stock photo of a mother holding an infant. The post was shared thousands of times before being debunked.
Why did the rumor start?
Misinformation spreads quickly on platforms with low verification barriers. In this case, a short video with a crying emoji caption and no source text was reshared by a celebrity-gossip aggregate account. Within 48 hours, the claim “Addison Rae adopts baby” was trending on Twitter. Rae’s team did not issue a formal statement, but the rumor faded after Rae’s own lighthearted denial. Business Insider noted the episode as an example of the “rapid misinformation cycle” that celebrity influencers face.
What Did Addison Rae Get Canceled For?
Addison Rae has been at the center of several “cancel culture” episodes, with the most prominent occurring in March 2021 when she performed a medley of viral TikTok dances on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. The segment drew immediate backlash because Rae did not acknowledge the Black creators who had originated the dances. According to Business Insider, the video’s YouTube description later added creator credits after public criticism, but the on-air segment never included them.
What were the specific accusations?
Critics accused Rae of profiting from dance trends created largely by Black TikTok users without attribution, a recurring pattern in influencer culture. The same report noted that several choreographers, including Crisalys and Fullout Cortland, had previously called out Rae for performing their moves without credit in earlier videos.
How did Addison Rae respond?
Rae initially stayed silent on the controversy. Days later, she posted a TikTok video that some interpreted as an apology, but she did not name any choreographers. In a follow-up interview with Variety (not directly cited in our sources but covered by Business Insider), she said she “learned a lot” and would strive to be more mindful. Business Insider called her response “vague” and noted that the controversy did not materially slow her career—she soon signed a film deal with Netflix.
“Addison Rae, the 20-year-old influencer turned budding mainstream celebrity, is one of TikTok’s biggest stars.”
— Kat Tenbarge, Business Insider (2021)
A separate controversy erupted in July 2021 at UFC 264. Rae joked on Twitter about becoming a UFC correspondent, prompting criticism that she was receiving opportunities over trained journalists. The same event produced footage of Rae greeting former President Donald Trump, which went viral and led to speculation about her political leanings. Business Insider reported that Rae did not publicly comment on the Trump interaction, but the incident was used by some online detractors to question her brand’s political neutrality.
Does Addison Rae Vape?
Addison Rae has been photographed on multiple occasions with what appears to be a vape pen, and she has posted Instagram stories showing a similar device. In 2023, the BBC published a Biography-sourced analysis of celebrity smoking glamorization that included Rae as an example of influencers who “normalise vaping for young audiences.” However, Rae has never publicly confirmed that she vapes, nor has she issued a statement about the habit.
Why are celebs glamourising smoking again?
The BBC article (cited indirectly via the above Biography link) points to a generational shift: younger celebrities see vaping as a low-stakes accessory, and social media platforms reward candid “relatable” content. Rae’s fashion-forward image—she has been described by Numéro as a Y2K style icon—often incorporates vaping imagery that blurs the line between personal habit and aesthetic choice.
Has Addison Rae addressed vaping?
No. Despite widespread speculation, Rae has not answered direct questions about vaping in interviews. The rumors remain unverified, and no credible source has reported a stance from her or her team. Harper’s Bazaar notes that she is “private about certain personal habits,” choosing to focus public conversation on her music and acting.
Addison Rae’s Career Timeline
- – Began posting TikTok dance videos; surpassed 1 million followers and left Louisiana State University to pursue social media full-time. (Business Insider)
- – Cast as co-lead in Netflix’s He’s All That. (Biography)
- – Released debut single “Obsessed”; performed on The Tonight Show sparking the dance‑credit controversy. (Business Insider)
- – He’s All That released on Netflix, her first leading film role. (Biography)
- – Signed a reported multi‑picture deal with Netflix. (Biography)
- – Released debut EP AR on Atlantic Records. (Biography)
- – Appeared in Eli Roth’s horror film Thanksgiving. (Biography)
- – “Diet Pepsi” became her first Billboard Hot 100 entry (No. 54). (Biography)
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facebook.com, tiktok.com, tiktok.com, en.wikipedia.org, cocomocoe.substack.com
Fans curious about her music career often point to her hit single Diet Pepsi as the synth-pop debut that marked her transition from TikTok star.
Frequently Asked Questions About Addison Rae
What is Addison Rae’s full name?
Addison Rae Easterling, born October 6, 2000.
When did Addison Rae join TikTok?
She began posting regularly in the summer of 2019 and hit 1 million followers by November 2019.
What is Addison Rae’s debut film?
He’s All That (Netflix, August 2021), in which she played lead role Padgett Sawyer.
What is the title of Addison Rae’s debut album?
Her debut studio album is titled Addison. She first released an EP called AR in August 2023.
How old is Addison Rae?
Born October 6, 2000, she turned 24 in 2024.
Sources
- Business Insider – Profile and controversy overview
- Biography.com – Career milestones and biographical data
- Numéro – Fashion, music, and career analysis
- IMDb – Birth date and highest‑earner note
- Harper’s Bazaar – Relationship history
- Coco Mocoe (Substack) – Narrative of Rae quitting TikTok
- TikTok – Explainer of controversies