Who is Tate McRae and is she the new queen of pop?

Get ready to meet Tate McRae, your latest pop girlie who recently took centrestage in Singapore, on Thursday, 31 October, as part of her first-ever global tour.

You might have heard one of her biggest hits, Greedy, which has been streamed over 1.5 billion times to date. This infectious anthem has catapulted her into the limelight, and now she’s unstoppable, dishing out catchy singles that have us all singing along.

That being said, if you’re still unfamiliar with the star herself, then it’s time to get acquainted. Ahead, we’ve rounded up some interesting facts about the singer herself that you should know about.

1. Her songs are inspired by heartbreak

A singer-songwriter since she was only 7 years old, Tate McRae went viral on TikTok in 2020 when she posted a video of her single, You Broke Me First. Often inspired by heartbreak, she has since released many songs that channel a similar energy. (Damn girl, who hurt you?)

Her next album which was released in 2021, I Used to Think I Could Fly, carried on with a similar theme. It’s got a hint of “emo girl going through a break up” – which, to some, are all too relatable. 

2. She’s got some killer dance moves

Fast forward to 2023 – our girl has transformed into a powerhouse of confidence, seamlessly blending her mesmerising vocals with jaw-dropping dance moves. (Did you know that she won third place in the thirteenth season of So You Think You Can Dance? Yes, our girl was a star before we even knew it.)

Now, her performances are nothing short of spectacular, turning every concert into a thrilling visual spectacle. With choreography that leaves us breathless, she has taught us to dance through our heartbreaks and is undeniably the hottest pop star of the year.

Fresh off her latest single, It’s Ok I’m Ok, the star is already hinting at her next release on her TikTok.

3. This was her first time in Singapore

On 31st October 2024, she stepped foot into Singapore for the first time, performing at The Star Theatre as part of her Think Later tour. With a 5,000-seat capacity, the theatre was packed for a truly unforgettable show.

Her 19-song set featured a mix of emotional ballads and high-energy dance tracks, creating an experience for fans.

As a matter of fact, the star also surprised fans when she appeared on a mini platform in the centre of the hall, giving fans the opportunity to belt out the songs up-close with her.

4. Her dream was always to perform in Madison Square Garden

In an interview, she was once asked what her dream venue to perform at was, and she replied with no hesitation “Madison Square Garden”.

This August, her dream finally became reality as she headlined a sold-out show at the iconic venue. In fact, it was at this stage, that she debuted It’s Ok I’m Ok for the first time.

5. She was featured on Forbes’ 30 Under 30

Following the release of You Broke Me First, Tate became the youngest member of the 2021 Forbes 30 Under 30 Music list at the age of only 17 years old. At such a young age, she was recognised for her remarkable talent and rise in the music industry.

6. She danced in Justin Bieber’s Purpose World Tour in 2016

Earlier this year, rumours circulated that Tate was a backup dancer on Justin Bieber’s Purpose world tour. While she did make a special appearance on stage during his Calgary show, she was far from a full-fledged backup dancer – after all, she was only 12 at the time (a detail Wikipedia might have stretched a bit). Funnily enough, he actually remembered this and even brought it up to her when they reconnected recently at the NHL All-Star Player draft.

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7. She was a voice in Lalaloopsy

As a child, Tate McRae dabbled in voice acting, lending her voice to the character Spot Splatter Splash on the Nick Jr. show Lalaloopsy. She voiced the character for a good four seasons and this was one of her first few experiences in the entertainment industry.

8. She was dating Cole Sillinger, and is now in a relationship with The Kid LAROI

Tate used to be in a relationship with NFL player Cole Sillinger. However, the couple parted ways in 2023 and Tate has commented numerous times that the breakup had significantly inspired her Think Later album. 

Now, she is happily together with The Kid LAROI and the two of them are the cutest couple. The rumours first came about when Tate McRae appeared to wear The Kid LAROI’s shirt in a photo dump from a trip to Mexico.

Following this post, they were spotted going on dates on numerous occasions but neither denied nor confirmed their relationship. They first publicly acknowledged that they were official during The Kid LAROI’s Dublin show when he told the audience his girlfriend was there that night.

9. She just turned 21 this year

On Tate’s birthday this year, 1 July 2024, her boyfriend, The Kid LAROI, got the entire stadium to sing her “Happy Birthday” during his show in Pittsburg (awww!).

It is absolutely incredible how fast a girl her age is rising to fame. With her remarkable talent and unique style, we can’t wait to see what she has in store for us next.

10. She’s fun, relatable and raw

While her dance and music is no doubt a hard seller, what we really love about Tate is her ability to turn life’s ups and downs into catchy bops. From the giddy highs of young love to the inevitable lows of heartbreak, she captures every moment with a rawness that makes her relatable, yet empowering.

Beyond her talent, her personality shines through her social media, where she shares glimpses of her life and dance rehearsals. She is often commenting on or reposting TikTok of her fans dancing to her songs, making her fans feel like they’re a part of her journey.

We know for a fact that Tate McRae is not just another pop star – she’s a phenomenon in the making. Could she be our next Britney Spears? Only time will tell. Stand back because this girl is just getting started, and we can’t wait to see where her journey takes her.