Tate McRae, a Canadian singer, songwriter, and dancer, has gained immense popularity in the entertainment industry. As of 2025, her net worth is estimated at $4 million, and she is 21 years old. McRae first came into the spotlight as a contestant on So You Think You Can Dance in 2016. Since then, she has built a successful music career, signing with RCA Records and releasing multiple hit songs and albums.
How Did Tate McRae Begin Her Career?
Born on July 1, 2003, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Tate McRae grew up in a multicultural household with a German mother and a Canadian father of Scottish descent. Due to her father’s job, she spent part of her childhood in Oman, where she attended the American International School Muscat. Her mother, a dance instructor, introduced her to dance at an early age. Upon returning to Canada at eight, McRae trained rigorously at Drewitz Dance Productions before joining her mother’s dance company, YYC Dance Project. She also studied ballet at the School of Alberta Ballet. McRae completed her high school education at Western Canada High School, graduating in 2021.
What Led to Tate McRae’s Breakthrough?
McRae’s journey to fame began in 2013 when she provided voice work for the animated children’s series Lalaloopsy. She gained further recognition in 2015 by winning awards at the Dance Awards in New York City. She later became a brand ambassador for Capezio, a dance apparel company.
Her major breakthrough came in 2016 when she competed in Season 13 of So You Think You Can Dance. She became the highest-ranking Canadian contestant in the show’s history, finishing third. Following this achievement, McRae appeared on the cover of Dance Spirit Magazine and performed in the Alberta Ballet Company’s production Our Canada.
How Did McRae Transition from Dance to Music?
McRae’s music career took off through her YouTube channel, which she created in 2011. In 2017, she began uploading a series titled Create with Tate, where she shared her original compositions. One of these songs, One Day, went viral, garnering millions of views and leading to her self-releasing it as a single. The success of One Day attracted the attention of major record labels, and she signed with RCA Records in 2019.
Her debut EP, All the Things I Never Said, was released in 2020, featuring the lead single Tear Myself Apart. This marked the beginning of her transition from a dancer to a full-fledged pop star.
What Are Tate McRae’s Most Successful Songs and Albums?
McRae’s music gained mainstream attention in 2020 with her hit single You Broke Me First. The song became a global sensation, topping charts in multiple countries and earning millions of streams. In the same year, she collaborated with rapper Lil Mosey on Vicious and released Lie to Me, a duet with Ali Gatie.
In early 2021, McRae released the singles Rubberband and Slower, leading up to the release of her second EP, Too Young to Be Sad. The EP broke records, becoming the most-streamed EP by a female artist on Spotify in 2021. That year, she also collaborated with DJ Regard and Troye Sivan on You, another successful hit.
McRae’s debut studio album, I Used to Think I Could Fly, was released in 2022. The lead single, Feel Like Shit, was a commercial success, charting in countries like Canada, Norway, and Ireland. Other hit singles from the album include She’s All I Wanna Be and Chaotic, both of which further established her as a rising pop star.
What Media Appearances Has McRae Made?
Tate McRae has made numerous television appearances to promote her music. She has performed on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. She has also graced the stages of major music festivals, including Lollapalooza, Music Midtown, Firefly, Gov Ball, and the iHeartRadio Music Festival.
Additionally, McRae has been featured in Dork and Hunger magazines, further solidifying her influence in the music industry.
Who Are McRae’s Biggest Musical and Dance Influences?
McRae’s artistic style is influenced by a diverse group of musicians and dancers. She has cited Jessie Reyez, The Weeknd, Jeremy Zucker, and Post Malone as inspirations for her music. For her dance style, she looks up to Jennifer Lopez, Britney Spears, Ciara, and Justin Timberlake.
Regarding songwriting, McRae has expressed admiration for Taylor Swift, Julia Michaels, and Alec Benjamin, all of whom have played a role in shaping her lyrical approach.
What’s Next for Tate McRae?
As of 2025, Tate McRae continues to build her career with new music releases and international tours. Her influence in both the dance and music industries remains strong, with an ever-growing fan base. With multiple platinum hits, extensive media appearances, and an undeniable stage presence, McRae is poised to remain a major figure in the music industry for years to come.
With an estimated net worth of $4 million, McRae has turned her passion for dance and music into a flourishing career, proving that she is much more than a reality TV contestant—she is a global star on the rise.
