Addison Rae opened up about everything from Lady Gaga’s version of “Nothing On (But the Radio)” and opening for Lana Del Rey at the Grammy Museum on Thursday night during a conversation with Variety‘s associate music editor Thania Garcia.
Los Angeles’ Grammy Museum rooftop event celebrated Rae’s debut album “Addison,” offering ticketed fans a peek into her creative process alongside collaborators and producers Elvira Anderfjärd and Luka Kloser. The appearance also marked Rae’s first time performing as a headlining act in L.A., as Anderfjärd and Kloser backed for three songs: “Diet Pepsi,” “Headphones On” and “Fame Is a Gun.”
“This is so… intimate,” Rae joked between songs, encouraging the audience to sing along. And so, they did; a stripped-down rendition of her viral hit, “Diet Pepsi,” sparked an impassioned singalong for fans who belted through the song’s bridge. The stage was decorated in sunflowers to match her vintage dress and the yellow tint on her album cover.
During the moderated Q&A, Rae discussed Lady Gaga’s version of “Nothing On (But the Radio),” a track that Rae recorded and included on her 2023 EP “AR.” “I did know that Gaga recorded it, which was really cool,” she said. “I got presented the opportunity to cut a version of it and I thought that was really exciting and fun and we changed a few lyrics. I think it was a song that she got pitched and she recorded it. I don’t really know exactly the reason why she never put it out, but everything happens for a reason. I would love to hear her sing it again, though, now.”
Producer Max Martin watched from the front row alongside Rae’s vocal coach, Eric Vetro (both complimented her singing when she returned backstage). Their presence wasn’t unfounded, as Anderfjärd and Kloser are signed to MXM, Martin’s publishing company.
Rae is gearing up to embark on “The Addison Tour” later this month in Europe before heading over to North America and Australia. She reflected on opening for Lana Del Rey during her Wembley Stadium shows in London last month, and duetting with Lana on “Diet Pepsi.”
“It was a massive thing to throw myself into,” Rae said. “The main thing for me was that I wanted to have a lot of fun while I was out there and I was lucky enough to be able to talk with Lana before the show and before I went out there and sang with her too, which was really nice and comforting because she’s just so kind. I think it was a challenge, but there was such an opportunity for me to learn so much in that moment. I think the pressure didn’t feel as grand or as scary because it was a spot to warm the crowd up.”