When Addison Rae first danced into our feeds in 2019, armed with a ring light and an arsenal of TikTok choreo, her hair was as much a part of her brand as the Renegade. Long, shiny, brunette and very "just got a blowout at a Southern mall salon", it was the stuff of early internet stardom.
But as Addison's career cartwheeled from viral teen to pop culture wildcard (see: acting in a She's All That remake, viral paparazzi outfits and red carpet moments, and now a debut record), her hair came along for the ride – and had a few toner updates along the way.
Below, we trace the star's hair story, from TikTok sweetheart with silky chocolate strands to honey-toned balayage, and peroxide-blonde Y2K-tinged pop princess. She's kept the signature length (Addison only touches a bob if it's a campy, colourful wig), but played in the colour sandbox like a girl with nothing to lose and one of fashion's top glam squads on speed dial (her stylist is the Dara).
Like any fame-obsessed It girl worth her salt spray, Addison knows that hair can be a statement and soft-launch of a new era – a blank canvas for experimentation, always with a wink. To quote her new song, Fame is a Gun: "I got a taste of the glamorous life".
🛍️ SHOP: ADDISON VIBES
2019/2020, peak TikTok nose scrunch era - with the ubiquitous long, wavy, highlighted TikTok hair.
Look, it was 2020: TikTok was blowing up and everyone was pulling this face before they did their choreo fir their front-facing camera. Addison was one of the biggest stars of the social media platform, beloved for her moves and poker straight hair.
Remember when she was BFFs with Kourtney Kardashian for a hot minute? She channelled her inner Kardashian by dying her hair a darker brunette shade, and embracing the centre part (and intense eyelashes).
Even back in 2020 she loved playing around with colour, with this stint with purple locks.
One of her shortest hair looks, at the 2021 Met Gala - and a fresh platinum blonde (and darker roots).
In 2022, Addison made set-up paparazzi moments an art form with a series of looks that helped set up her transformation from TikTok star to Y2K-inspired starlet. Case in point: this outfit, with scrunchie-tied pigtails and wired headphones.
Another of her not-at-all candid 2022 paparazzi moments, post-Pilates, that's all about the oversized puffy headband.
A rare updo, for an Oscars after-party in 2022. Note the 2000s-era strands framing the face.
Probably one of her best paparazzi moments: 'caught' reading Britney Spears' memoir (with dark hair in pigtails), in 2023. Troye Sivan would later dress up as this moment for Halloween.
Subtle balayage colour for the Variety Power of Young Hollywood party in 2024. The colour was described as a lived-in, "butterscotch" blonde.
One of her most iconic looks - a bra and panty set by Miss Claire Sullivan - for the VMAs. The highlighted brunette waves was styled by Lucas Wilson, using a lot of texturising spray, mousse and hairspray, and set with a simple pearl clip.
Going back to her darker roots for an appearance at the Miu Miu show in Paris - pairing her polka dots with a side-part and hair clips.
Vamping it up at the 2024 Academy Museum Gala, with classic 'Old Hollywood' curls and a fresh beachy blonde (described by colourist Matt Rez as "dyeit blonde" - another reference to her single, Diet Pepsi).
She paired her Thom Browne ensemble - complete with shell purse - with blonde, Mermaid/siren hair for the CFDA awards. Working with celebrity colourist Matt Rez, they turned her hair "Diet Blonde" - to promote her single, Diet Pepsi.
Addison made a couple of appearances at Coachella in April, including a surprise performance of her Aquamarine remix with Arca - pairing her dreamy Chloe dress with messy, boho-inspired hair.
Hot pink hair for the Headphones On music video. Hairstylist Lucas Wilson used the Good Dye Young semi-permanent in shade of 'EX-GIRL' to get this fun look.
Further proof her fashion makeover is complete: She appeared on the cover of Vogue Paris, March 2025 with an 80s-esque makeover, including peroxide blonde colour with signature dark roots.
Photographed for Rolling Stone ahead of her album launch, with 80s-style curls.
In a peroxide blonde wig, on the set of her video for new song Fame is a Gun.
June 2025: Pop star shimmer all over, and a glossy yellow blonde with darker roots.
