Tate McRae reflects on challenges of being a young pop star in the spotlight

Tate McRae is reflecting on the challenges of global fame, admitting that despite her rapid rise in pop music, she often feels misunderstood by the public.

In a recent interview with Billboard, the 22-year-old artist described fame as “scary and overwhelming” at times, particularly as she navigates intense public attention and criticism.

McRae said that being a young woman in the spotlight means constantly being “under a microscope,” adding that public opinion can sometimes feel intrusive and difficult to manage.

“As a woman, you’re constantly going to be under scrutiny,” she said, noting that commentary on her appearance and personality can be especially challenging. “It sucks to have people commenting on your body or having perceptions that are completely off.”

Despite this, McRae emphasized that she remains focused on her music, saying she views herself primarily as an artist rather than a public figure shaped by outside perception.

“I’m just here to make art,” she explained, adding that attempting to correct misunderstandings is something she feels she “can never win.”

The pop star also reflected on her journey from dancer to musician, saying she entered the industry with a clear creative vision for her career.

I Used to Think I Could Fly, released in 2022, marked her official entry into pop music, a transition she said was guided by a strong artistic direction from the beginning.

McRae described imagining every detail of her early career, from choreography and collaborators to visuals and performance settings, underscoring the precision behind her artistic ambitions.