Addison Rae embraced a full-blown old Hollywood fantasy for one of the most significant nights of her career at the Grammy Awards on Sunday. The Best New Artist nominee made a dramatic entrance in a custom white Alaïa gown that instantly recalled a modern-day Marilyn Monroe moment, setting the tone for a memorable evening.
A Nod to Iconic Glamour
The daring dress featured an ultra-plunging V-neckline and a striking high-low silhouette, with layers of airy tulle cascading down the front while the back revealed a playful tutu-like bustle. Rae elevated the look with sleek white heels and delicate belly jewelry, adding a contemporary edge to the otherwise vintage-inspired ensemble.
Her glowing complexion and softly styled blonde hair further heightened the throwback glamour, making the fashion moment a clear homage to Marilyn Monroe's iconic white dress scene from The Seven Year Itch. Rae fully leaned into the reference, even striking a pose reminiscent of Monroe's legendary subway grate shot as cameras flashed on the red carpet.
Stage Debut and Competitive Category
Beyond her headline-making red carpet appearance, Rae also performed during the ceremony for the first time. She debuted with a dramatic rendition of her track, Fame is a Gun, staged outside on the studio backlot and livestreamed directly into the event.
The performance began with Rae standing atop the back of a truck, cloaked in a flowing purple trench coat as the music kicked in. Moments later, she hopped down and shed the outer layer, revealing a sparkling purple bra top and matching shorts that shimmered under the lights as she powered through the moody pop anthem.
Despite the show-stopping performance, Rae ultimately walked away empty-handed in the fiercely competitive Best New Artist category. The award went to Olivia Dean, who triumphed over fellow nominees including KATSEYE, The Marías, sombr, Leon Thomas, Alex Warren, Lola Young, and Rae herself.
Evolution and Rebranding
While this marks her first-ever Grammy nomination, the Louisiana native is no stranger to the event. She made her Grammys red carpet debut back in 2022 alongside her then-boyfriend Omer Fedi, opting at the time for a soft pale-pink silk gown by Nili Lotan.
The milestone night comes amid a pivotal rebrand for the former TikTok star. After six years in the spotlight, the singer, born Addison Rae Easterling, has begun dropping 'Rae' from her professional name, a shift that aligns with her artistic evolution. Just months after releasing her mononymous debut album, Rae, she explained that the decision felt instinctive.
Speaking about the title, the star said she struggled to find a phrase that captured the project, ultimately realizing the music simply sounded like her. 'I didn't really know what else to call it,' she explained in a recent interview. 'Everybody I played it to was like, 'It just sounds like you.'
Rae has also been candid about stepping away from her full stage name, admitting she's grown beyond it and joking that she's relieved to no longer have to sign such a long name. 'For me, making music is bringing me back to the core of everything,' she later told Zane Lowe. 'Addison Rae will always be a part of who I am. But this feels like coming back to the center - which is just Addison.'
