Tate McRae is a 22-year-old Canadian singer, songwriter, and dancer born on July 1, 2003. She rose to fame after placing third on So You Think You Can Dance in 2016 and has since amassed over 15 billion streams with hits like “Greedy” and “you broke me first.”
From Dance Floors to Billboard Charts: The Tate McRae Story
Tate Rosner McRae was born in Calgary, Alberta, on July 1, 2003, to Tanja Rosner, a German dance instructor, and Todd McRae, who has Scottish ancestry. Her multicultural background and early exposure to dance through her mother shaped everything that followed.
At age two, her family relocated to Oman for her father’s work. They lived there for three years before returning to Calgary. This international experience gave young Tate a unique worldview that would later influence her artistic expression.
Dance became her first language. In 2015, McRae won the silver medal as a soloist and bronze medal for her duet at the Youth America Grand Prix, earning a two-week scholarship at the Berlin State Ballet company. These weren’t just participation trophies—they were markers of genuine talent recognized on a global stage.
Her breakthrough moment came at 13. In June 2016, she competed in the thirteenth season of So You Think You Can Dance, advancing further than any other Canadian in the show’s history and placing third in the final episode. The fact that Canadians couldn’t vote for her makes this achievement even more significant.
The Viral Pivot: When Dance Met Music
Most dancers stick to what they know. Tate took a different path.
In 2017, she began a video series on her YouTube channel showcasing original songs she wrote and recorded in her bedroom. The first song, “One Day,” attracted over 40 million views. That wasn’t luck—it was raw talent meeting the right moment.
Record labels noticed. After releasing several independent singles, McRae signed with RCA Records in August 2019 and released “Tear Myself Apart,” “All My Friends Are Fake,” and “Stupid”. The transition from dance to music wasn’t a pivot—it was an evolution.
Her debut EP, All the Things I Never Said, dropped in January 2020. But it was her single “You Broke Me First” that changed everything.
Breaking Through: The Hit That Started It All
“You broke me first” is certified 5x Platinum by the RIAA and has amassed over 2.5 billion streams, making it a contender for single of the year. The song captured the raw emotion of heartbreak in a way that resonated with millions during the pandemic lockdowns.
In December 2020, she became the youngest person listed on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in the music category. She was 17 years old.
Her second EP, Too Young to Be Sad, arrived in March 2021. It became the most-streamed female EP of 2021 on Spotify. The numbers don’t lie—people connected with her vulnerability and honesty.
Three Albums, Three Eras of Growth
I Used to Think I Could Fly (2022)
Her debut album peaked at number three in Canada and broke into the top 15 in the US. McRae described the album, on which she co-wrote all 13 tracks, as “genuinely just my diary entries” and an expression of her “pent-up feelings, or ugly feelings”.
The standout single “She’s All I Wanna Be” tackled insecurity and comparison in the social media age. It reached the top 10 in Canada and resonated with anyone who’s ever felt inadequate scrolling through Instagram.
Think Later (2023)
This album marked her transformation into a pop powerhouse. Released on December 8, 2023, her deluxe album features new tracks that highlight her evolution as an artist. Think Later received positive reviews and was described as a “career-defining shift” for McRae. It debuted at number four on the US Billboard 200, earning 66,000 album-equivalent units in its first week.
“Greedy” became her signature song. The 2023 single was released to worldwide commercial success, peaking atop both the Billboard Global 200 and the Canadian Hot 100, as well as peaking at number three on the Billboard Hot 100.
The song’s success wasn’t accidental. It sampled Nelly Furtado’s “Promiscuous” and paired it with choreography that drew immediate comparisons to Britney Spears. Tate embraced the comparison rather than running from it.
So Close to What (2025)
Her third studio album was released in February 2025 and debuted at number one in many countries, including Canada, the United States, Ireland, and Australia. This wasn’t just growth—it was dominance.
The album includes hits like “It’s ok I’m ok,” “Sports Car,” and “Revolving Door.” Both “Revolving Door” and “It’s ok I’m ok” reached number one on Billboard’s Hot Dance/Pop Songs chart.
The Dance Advantage: Why Tate Stands Out
Most pop stars can sing or dance. Few can do both at a professional level.
McRae has been praised by artist, dancer, and choreographer Paula Abdul, who declared her a “gift from God,” and choreographers such as Stacey Tookey and Blake McGrath, both of whom stated she’s talented beyond her years.
Her performances are different. One of the most notable elements of her dance breaks is that McRae is always going just as hard as the backup dancers. Where most artists will do a modified version of the choreography, McRae’s lines are just as clean, her splits just as deep.
She doesn’t phone it in. Every movement has intention. Every eight-count tells a story.
At the 2025 MTV VMAs, she performed “Revolving Door” and “Sports Car,” the latter of which she sang while dancing in a pit filled with black sand. That’s not just performing—that’s creating an experience.
The Miss Possessive Tour: A Sold-Out Success
The Miss Possessive Tour began on March 18, 2025, in Mexico City, Mexico, and concluded on November 8, 2025, in Inglewood, United States, consisting of 83 shows. Supporting acts included Benee, Zara Larsson, Alessi Rose, and Samuraï.
The tour’s impact? Billboard acknowledged the tour as the thirty-ninth best of the year, generating $75.8 million and attracting an audience of 795,000 across a reported 62 concerts; it was named the ninth-highest-grossing pop tour for the year.
A month after the Madison Square Garden show, McRae revealed she sold out the iconic arena three times in one year as part of the Miss Possessive Tour, which stretched for 88 dates and grossed $111 million.
Multiple sellouts at MSG in a single year isn’t common. It’s reserved for superstars.
Awards, Recognition, and Industry Validation
McRae has been named Artist of the Year at both the 2024 and 2025 JUNO Awards. Winning once is an honor. Winning back-to-back years is a statement.
In November 2025, McRae received her first Grammy nomination for best dance pop recording for “Just Keep Watching” from the movie F1. The song also earned her VMA wins for Song of the Summer and Best Editing in September 2025.
She’s been featured on multiple industry lists: Forbes’ 2021 30 Under 30 (as the youngest musician), Variety’s 2022 Power of Young Hollywood, and Billboard’s 21 Under 21 for four consecutive years.
The certifications tell the commercial story: “You Broke Me First” is 5x Platinum, “Greedy” is 4x Platinum, and her sophomore album, Think Late, is certified Platinum.
The Personal Side: Relationships and Real Life
From late 2021 to early 2023, McRae was in a relationship with Columbus Blue Jackets player Cole Sillinger. In April 2024, Australian rapper and singer the Kid Laroi confirmed he was in a relationship with McRae.
Her 2025 single “Tit for Tat” was reportedly about her ex-boyfriend, the Kid Laroi. She’s never been afraid to turn personal pain into art.
McRae describes herself as “the most woo-woo person ever” who regularly sees healers and once famously predicted the 2025 Super Bowl—getting the final score and winning team exactly right.
She’s also developed an on-stage alter ego she calls “Tatiana.” McRae says of Tatiana: “I started to black out onstage and become this person that I couldn’t explain, nor could my family or my friends, and I needed a reason for it. I think it helps me grasp the strange theory of why I’m not nervous in front of 15,000 people, and why I can be nervous at a dinner party with four people”.
The Numbers That Matter
As of late 2025, Tate McRae’s career statistics are staggering:
- Over 15.1 billion career streams across all platforms
- 56.9 million monthly listeners on Spotify
- Over 13 million followers on TikTok
- 9 million followers on Instagram
- 4.42 million YouTube subscribers
- Three studio albums, two EPs, and 37 singles
In 2025, she scored her first US number-one single as a featured artist on Morgan Wallen’s “What I Want” and achieved her first solo US top-ten debut with “Tit for Tat”.
What Makes Her Different?
The music industry is full of talented singers. It’s packed with skilled dancers. But artists who excel at both while maintaining authenticity are rare.
Tate writes or co-writes all her songs. Her lyrics come from real experiences, real heartbreak, real growth. She doesn’t rely on manufactured narratives or ghost producers.
Her dance background gives her an edge in live performances that pure vocalists can’t match. She understands staging, movement, and how to command attention without saying a word.
She’s been compared to Britney Spears, with McRae saying, “I’ve always dreamed of being able to sing and dance onstage like Britney Spears. I just want to make that a reality, to dance with a whole bunch of dancers and put on a huge show”.
But she’s not trying to be Britney; instead, she’s carving her own path like Taylor Swift. She’s creating her own lane.
What’s Next for Tate McRae?
In the January 2026 issue of Rolling Stone, McRae teased the potential release of a documentary from the tour. Given the tour’s massive success, this could offer fans an intimate look behind the scenes.
With her third album reaching number one, a Grammy nomination under her belt, and sold-out arena tours becoming the norm, Tate McRae isn’t just arriving—she’s already here.
The question isn’t whether she’ll succeed. It’s how far she’ll go.
FAQs
How old is Tate McRae?
Tate McRae is 22 years old. She was born on July 1, 2003, making her a Cancer in the zodiac.
Is Tate McRae dating anyone?
As of late 2024, Tate McRae was in a relationship with Australian rapper the Kid Laroi. Her 2025 single “Tit for Tat” is reportedly about him.
What is Tate McRae’s biggest hit?
“Greedy” is her biggest commercial success, reaching number one on the Billboard Global 200 and number three on the Billboard Hot 100. “You Broke Me First” is her most-streamed song with over 2.5 billion streams.
Did Tate McRae win So You Think You Can Dance?
No, she placed third in the 2016 season. However, she advanced further than any Canadian in the show’s history, which is impressive since Canadians couldn’t vote for her.
How many albums does Tate McRae have?
She has released three studio albums: I Used to Think I Could Fly (2022), Think Later (2023), and So Close to What (2025). She also released two EPs earlier in her career.
Has Tate McRae won a Grammy?
As of early 2026, she has been nominated for one Grammy Award for Best Dance Pop Recording for “Just Keep Watching” but hasn’t won yet. The ceremony takes place in February 2026.
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