Ana Escobar — On February, Tate McRae released her third studio album, So Close to What—a record that marks a bold step forward in her pop reign. It’s her most mature, ambitious, and daring project yet, one that reflects a deeper sense of empowerment and raw vulnerability, as she explores her sexuality and opens up like never before.
In its first week, the album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in the United States. To celebrate this new era, the Canadian singer sat down with us over Zoom to talk about her evolution in the music industry, her upcoming tour, and her dream collaborations, among other things. Here’s everything she shared.
Tate McRae performs on The Tonigh Show by Jimmy Fallon. Tuesday, March 4, 2025. Todd Owyoung/NBC via Getty Images
Q: In this organic evolution you’ve had as a pop star leading up to So Close to What, what have you learned over the years as a young woman in the music industry?
A: Oh, a lot… I think, for me, authenticity is the number one thing you should focus on. No one knows you better than you know yourself. You always have to follow your instincts, and that will lead you in the right direction. I’ve also learned that when I trust my intuition and feel confident in myself, that’s when I can speak clearly and make the decisions I want. And yeah, sometimes you have to be strong-willed: you’ve got to be stubborn and fight for what you want—and little by little, I’m learning how to do that as I get older.
Q: We know it was Glen Powell who connected you all, but… whose idea was it to include Sydney Sweeney’s voice in the Miss Possessive intro? Who mentioned it first?
A: Well, I adore Sydney Sweeney. I’m such a huge fan. Thanks to her character Cassie in Euphoria, she totally embodied that “possessive” energy and perfectly captured the vibe of Miss Possessive. So I thought, if Sydney could lend her voice to the song, it would be a fun little easter egg for the fans. I sent her a short voice note saying, “Can you say this in this way?”—and when she sent it back, it was perfect. It was super fun.
Q: Speaking of Cassie and Euphoria, now that Rosalía is set to appear in Season 3—and considering we’ve already seen many different versions of you in videos like 2 hands or sports car—do you see yourself acting in the future?
A: Uh… maybe one day. Right now, I’m super focused on music, but if I took the time to learn more about acting and improve, yeah, I think I’d give it a shot someday.
Q: You’ve described yourself as a “multidimensional artist” who doesn’t want to be boxed in. Do you see yourself trying other genres outside of pop?
A: Oh, definitely! I’m 21. My music taste is going to evolve so much over the next 10 years. I’m sure I’ll dig into and explore all kinds of different styles and genres at some point.
Q: Is there any genre you don’t see yourself doing (if any)?
A: I don’t know… I really don’t. I never want to shut anything down because I’m open to anything if it resonates with me or feels like the right moment. So I don’t think I’d say no to any sound
Q: You’ve mentioned in other interviews that you’re very spiritual and into manifestation. What goals have you put out into the universe since this album dropped?
A: I manifested a bunch of things at the start of the year that have actually come true: I wanted to go back to SNLfor a second time, I really wanted to take ballet classes again, I wanted the album to hit No. 1—and it happened. It’s crazy… I feel like you always need to set goals for yourself and make sure you’re working toward something that helps you grow.
Q: You’ve said you’re a very “visual writer.” Does that also apply when creating music videos? Do you usually picture certain scenes or choreography ahead of time?
A: Sometimes I do imagine certain things, but then my choreographers—who are incredible—come in with a completely different idea, and it’s so much better than what I had in mind. Like, every time Sean Bankhead and Robbie Blue start creating, they come up with something I would’ve never visualized, so I totally trust them. They have a skill set I could never match.
Olivia Rodrigo (R) at and Tate McRae attend the basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets Crypto.com Arena on January 19, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
Q: You posted a photo with Olivia Rodrigo at the Oscars afterparty, and the internet is begging for a collab. Have you talked about it? Would you be into it?
A: We haven’t talked about it. Olivia and I are just really good friends. I love her so much—she’s like a sister. She’s the best. We haven’t had a conversation about doing music together, but yeah, of course I’d record a song with Olivia. It just has to happen at the right time. I never want to force anything. On the contrary, you want it to feel right—if the right song comes along, then yes, I’d be totally down. Always.
A: I’ve always wanted to work with Rosalía. I think she’s one of the best out there—I adore her. I’m also a huge fan of Bad Bunny. Every time I listen to his music, I can’t understand a word he’s saying, obviously [laughs], but the melodies are just chef’s kiss. So yes, I’d absolutely be down to collaborate with him. He’s so good.
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