Tate McRae

Early life and dance career

Tate Rosner McRae was born in Calgary, Alberta on Canada Day in 2003. Her mother, Tanja Rosner, is a German dance instructor, and her father, Todd McRae, is a lawyer of Scottish ancestry. Due to her father's work in the oil and gas industry, the family moved to Oman when McRae was two years old, where she attended The American International School Muscat for three years before returning to Calgary. Her intensive dance training began at age six, and after returning to Canada, she trained with Drewitz Dance Productions before joining her mother's company, YYC Dance Project, at age eleven. She also underwent formal ballet training at the School of Alberta Ballet, the training school for the Alberta Ballet Company. McRae completed her high school education online, graduating from Western Canada High School in 2021.

McRae's dance career garnered early acclaim, winning her first Mini Best Female Dancer award at The Dance Awards in New York City in 2013. She became a brand ambassador for Capezio dancewear and earned a scholarship to the Berlin State Ballet after winning medals at the Youth America Grand Prix in 2015. Her profile rose significantly in 2016 when she became a finalist on the thirteenth season of the American reality competition So You Think You Can Dance. Mentored by Kathryn McCormick, McRae placed third, marking the furthest any Canadian had advanced in the show's history. That same year, she performed at a Justin Bieber concert in Calgary and made multiple appearances on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. In 2018, she made history at The Dance Awards by becoming the first dancer to win the Best Female Dancer title in all age categories from Mini to Teen.

Transition to music and breakthrough

McRae began her musical journey in 2017 by posting original songs she wrote and recorded in her bedroom to her long-standing YouTube channel. The first of these, "One Day", attracted over 40 million views and was self-released as her debut independent single, eventually earning a gold certification in Canada. This online success led to her being named YouTube's Artist on the Rise and caught the attention of major record labels. She signed with RCA Records in August 2019 and released her debut EP, All the Things I Never Said, in January 2020, followed by a sold-out headline tour in North America and Europe. Her career shifted dramatically with the release of "You Broke Me First" in April 2020, which became an international hit, reaching the top ten in multiple countries including Australia and the United Kingdom.

The song "You Broke Me First" marked her first entry on the US Billboard Hot 100, where it spent 38 weeks, becoming the longest-charting song by a female artist that year. The track's success during the early COVID-19 pandemic led a Canadian Press reporter to call McRae a bonafide star of the lockdown. Her rapid ascent was recognized with numerous year-end accolades, including a place on Forbes' 30 Under 30 list, where she was the youngest person in the music category, and a spot on Rolling Stone's list of the top ten breakthrough artists of 2020. She also performed the song on late-night shows like Jimmy Kimmel Live! and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, and signed a worldwide publishing deal with Sony/ATV following its success.

Rise to pop stardom

McRae's second EP, Too Young to Be Sad, was released in March 2021 and became the most streamed female EP of the year on Spotify, amassing over one billion streams. It earned Juno Award nominations for Album of the Year and Pop Album of the Year. She followed this with her debut studio album, I Used to Think I Could Fly, in May 2022. The album debuted at number three on the Canadian Albums Chart and number 13 on the US Billboard 200, receiving positive reviews. Its singles, including "She's All I Wanna Be" and "Chaotic", found commercial success, with the former reaching the top ten in Canada.

In late 2022, McRae began signalling a shift toward a more pop-oriented sound, which fully materialized with the September 2023 release of "Greedy". The song was a global phenomenon, debuting at number one on the Billboard Global 200 and topping charts in Canada, Australia, and the Netherlands. It became her first top ten hit on the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number three. "Greedy" served as the lead single for her sophomore album, Think Later, released in December 2023. The album was described as a career-defining shift, debuting at number four on the Billboard 200 and earning critical praise. At the 2024 Juno Awards, McRae won Artist of the Year and Single of the Year for "Greedy", and she performed the song on Saturday Night Live in late 2023.

Continued success and recent work

McRae's third studio album, So Close to What, was released in February 2025 and marked a new commercial peak, becoming her first number one album on the US Billboard 200. Its singles included "It's OK I'm OK", "2 Hands", and the top ten hit "Sports Car". In May 2025, she featured on Morgan Wallen's single "What I Want", which debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, giving McRae her first chart-topping single on that survey. That same month, the soundtrack single "Just Keep Watching" earned her a Grammy Award nomination for Best Dance Pop Recording. The subsequent year brought further accolades and achievements, including a major win at the 2026 Juno Awards in Hamilton where she took home four awards.

McRae was a major winner at the 2026 Juno Awards, taking home four awards including Single of the Year for "Sports Car" and Album of the Year for So Close to What. She also received the Hitmaker Award at the 2026 Billboard Women in Music event and the Triple Threat Award at Variety's Power of Young Hollywood. By early 2026, her career streaming totals surpassed 8.4 billion streams across all platforms, and her YouTube channel had amassed over 2.9 billion views. She released a deluxe version of So Close to What in November 2025 and appeared in an advertisement for NBC's Winter Olympics coverage in February 2026, which prompted some criticism from Canadians to which she affirmed her national pride.

Artistry and influences

McRae's music primarily incorporates pop, alternative pop, and dance-pop, often with elements of R&B and soul. She has cited a wide range of musical influences that shape her sound and performance style. For her songwriting, she looks to artists like Taylor Swift, Julia Michaels, and Alec Benjamin. Her vocal and melodic inspirations include Lana Del Rey, Ariana Grande, Post Malone, The Weeknd, Khalid, Jessie Reyez, and Jeremy Zucker. As a performer who integrates dance into her artistry, McRae draws inspiration from entertainers known for their stage presence, such as Bruno Mars, Madonna, Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears, Ciara, Jennifer Lopez, Beyoncé, and Justin Timberlake.

For all-around career inspiration, she cites Zendaya and Dua Lipa as her biggest idols. McRae notes she looks up to them in all aspects of life. She has also described herself as a huge fan of Taylor Swift's work and career trajectory. This diverse set of influences contributes to her approach to creating pop music. It also informs her delivery of dynamic live shows that combine singing and dancing.

Public image and activism

McRae has cultivated a public image centred on her artistry and connection with fans, particularly those in the LGBTQ+ community. In a 2025 interview with Pride, she expressed deep appreciation for her LGBTQ+ fans, calling them her favourite and number ones. She also highlighted the importance of having LGBTQ+ members on her creative team, valuing their honesty and input in her music and projects. Her support extends beyond words through tangible initiatives like her merchandise campaigns.

Through merchandise campaigns like "Little Miss Possessive", McRae has directed a portion of proceeds to organizations. These include The Trevor Project, which supports LGBTQ+ youth, and the Global Fund for Women. She has stated she prefers to express her values through concrete actions. McRae supports causes through the organizations she backs rather than through broad public statements. This approach aligns with her focus on letting her work and affiliations speak for her principles.

Personal life

McRae's personal relationships have occasionally been part of the public record. From late 2021 to early 2023, she was in a relationship with professional hockey player Cole Sillinger of the Columbus Blue Jackets. In April 2024, Australian rapper and singer the Kid Laroi confirmed he was in a relationship with McRae. The couple collaborated on the song "I Know Love" for her 2025 album So Close to What. Their relationship ended in July 2025, and McRae's single "Tit for Tat", released in September 2025, was widely reported to be about this breakup.

In February 2026, McRae faced some public criticism in Canada after appearing in an advertisement for American broadcaster NBC's coverage of the Winter Olympics. Some commentators, including actor Jack Innanen, questioned her participation in promoting a foreign network's Olympic broadcast. McRae responded to the backlash on social media by simply stating, "Y'all know I'm Canada down," affirming her connection to her home country. This incident highlighted the occasional public scrutiny that comes with her level of fame and commercial endorsements.

Questions about Tate McRae

Where is Tate McRae from in Canada?

Tate McRae was born and raised in Calgary, Alberta. She lived in Oman for three years during her early childhood due to her father's work but returned to Calgary at age eight, where she continued her dance training and education. She attended Western Canada High School, graduating online in 2021. Her Calgary roots and training at local studios like YYC Dance Project and the School of Alberta Ballet are central to her early development as a performer.

How did Tate McRae get famous?

Tate McRae first gained recognition as a competitive dancer, winning major awards and placing third on So You Think You Can Dance in 2016. She transitioned to music by posting original songs on YouTube starting in 2017, with "One Day" going viral. Her major breakthrough came with the 2020 single "You Broke Me First", which became a global hit during the pandemic. Her fame solidified with subsequent pop hits like "Greedy" in 2023 and her chart-topping albums Think Later and So Close to What.

What are Tate McRae's biggest songs?

Tate McRae's biggest songs include "You Broke Me First", her first major international hit which charted for 38 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100. "Greedy" (2023) was her first global number one, topping the Billboard Global 200 and charts in multiple countries. "Sports Car" (2025) was a top ten hit in Canada and several other markets. Her collaboration with Morgan Wallen, "What I Want" (2025), gave McRae her first number one single on the US Billboard Hot 100. Earlier hits like "She's All I Wanna Be" also achieved significant commercial success.

Has Tate McRae won any Juno Awards?

Yes, Tate McRae has won multiple Juno Awards. In 2024, she won two major awards: Artist of the Year and Single of the Year for "Greedy". Her most successful Juno showing came at the 2026 awards held in Hamilton, where she won a leading four honours. These included Single of the Year for "Sports Car" and Album of the Year for So Close to What, along with two other awards, cementing her status as one of Canada's top contemporary music artists.

What is Tate McRae's connection to the Kid Laroi?

Tate McRae and the Kid Laroi were in a publicly confirmed relationship from April 2024 until July 2025. During their relationship, they collaborated professionally on the song "I Know Love". This song appears on McRae's 2025 album So Close to What. Following their breakup, McRae released the single "Tit for Tat" in September 2025. This single was widely reported by media outlets to be about her relationship with the Australian rapper and singer.

What awards did Tate McRae win in 2026?

In 2026, Tate McRae received significant industry recognition. She was the big winner at the Juno Awards in March, taking home four awards including Single of the Year for "Sports Car" and Album of the Year for So Close to What. She also received the Hitmaker Award at the Billboard Women in Music event, honouring her consistent chart success. Furthermore, Variety presented her with the Triple Threat Award at their Power of Young Hollywood celebration, acknowledging her talents as a singer, songwriter, and dancer.

Sources: Wikipedia and current public reporting, checked by the Yadude Books desk. Last updated 2026-10-20.