Tate McRae is navigating the whirlwind of being likened to a pop legend—and she's equal parts honored and overwhelmed. The 21-year-old singer recently addressed comparisons to Britney Spears during an interview with The Independent, calling the parallel "flattering and scary" while humbly dismissing any notion of rivalry. "It's such a crazy statement because no one can compare to Britney Spears," she said. "That's like comparing someone to Michael Jackson! She's the blueprint."
McRae's rise to fame began long before her music career took off. At 13, she clinched third place on So You Think You Can Dance, showcasing the sharp technical skills that later became a hallmark of her performances. By uploading original songs to YouTube as a teenager, she built a grassroots following that exploded into mainstream success. Now, with five Billboard Hot 100 hits and a 2023 Saturday Night Live debut under her belt, McRae is cementing her place in pop's new guard.
Her third studio album, So Close to What, dropped on February 21—but not without drama. Days before its release, tracks leaked online, leaving McRae "devastated," as she revealed during a Spotify Listening Party in Los Angeles. "It's heartbreaking to have your art stolen before it's ready," she told fans. Despite the setback, the album marks a milestone in her evolution, blending introspective lyrics with beats designed for the dancefloor.
Dance remains central to McRae's artistry. Her 2023 music video for "Exes" paid direct homage to Spears and Christina Aguilera's early-2000s glamour, featuring fierce choreography and retro aesthetics. "We wanted to create something that celebrated the legends who shaped pop," she shared in a previous interview. "Britney and Christina were pioneers—their music videos were events. I've always dreamed of doing something that impactful."
While flattered by the Spears comparisons, McRae is quick to deflect the spotlight. "She's the queen. I'm just doing my thing," she laughed. Still, the parallels are hard to ignore: both were teenage dancers turned global pop phenoms, both mastered the art of coupling vulnerability with magnetic stage presence. But McRae insists she's carving her own lane. So Close to What leans into moodier, synth-driven tones, contrasting Spears' bubblegum roots while nodding to the emotional rawness that defines her own songwriting.
For McRae, the album's leak was a harsh reminder of the pressures of fame. "You pour your soul into this work, and then it's just…out there," she said. Yet the Calgary-born artist is focusing on the positives—her fans, the creative freedom she now commands, and the chance to keep growing. "Every album teaches me something new," she added. "Right now, I'm just grateful to be doing what I love."
As So Close to What climbs charts, McRae's blend of nostalgia and modernity continues to resonate. Whether she's channeling Spears' iconic energy or pushing boundaries of her own, one thing's clear: Tate McRae isn't here to be anyone's replica. She's writing her own playbook.