From screen to stage: My journey with Tate McRae
I first discovered Tate McRae while scrolling on TikTok in 2018 and stumbling on a video of her first original song, “One Day.” I watched a 14-year-old Tate play her piano while singing a song she wrote on her own, and describing it as magical would be an understatement.
It was absolutely awe-inspiring. You could tell just by hearing her that she genuinely felt every word she sang, and that hooked me immediately. We were worlds apart, and yet she still had a way of making me feel like she was talking to me.
Her gift for music and performing was so obvious, even just sitting alone in her bedroom. I knew right then and there that it was too special to forget. She was too special to forget. I found her on every social media platform I had at that age, and vowed to keep my eye on her. Little did I know that this song was only the very beginning of an amazing career that no one could see coming.
I continued following her life and music in the next couple of years, and the community she built from “Create with Tate” was one I felt so fortunate to be a part of. We were the ones who would get to witness her growth and talent in every release she gifted to us. She was our little secret, until a fateful day in 2020, when she put out a new song called “You Broke Me First.”
First big hit
I remember watching as it popped up everywhere, from social media videos to the music charts. I felt so happy that her art was reaching more people and that her talent was being realized and rewarded. Every time I heard a song of hers playing on the radio in a car, or in the background of a shopping mall, I would smile with immeasurable joy.
That same feeling was again felt by so many Tater Tots around the world when “Greedy” was released in 2023. I watched the music video soon after its release, when it had under a million views. I checked again less than a week later, and it had millions of views and thousands of comments about what an amazing artist she was, as it was her first big hit that showcased her talent in dancing as well. I remember seeing her name on the Global Spotify Charts for weeks, beating out huge mainstream artists for the top spot.
When she followed that giant “Greedy” success with “Exes,” which quickly became another hit, I knew this was it. She had made it big and she’s around to stay. No more one-hit wonder Tate. Say hello to global superstar icon Tate.
I couldn’t put into words how proud and happy I was. Every time I watched one of her extraordinary live performances, all I could think of was, “That’s my girl!” I was so proud of her, you would think I knew her personally. It felt like I was part of her journey, even as just a fan. I joke to this day that my biggest flex in life is knowing her before she was famous.
Tate in Manila
When I found out she was going to perform in Manila (at New Frontier Theater, on Nov. 4), I was absolutely ecstatic at the thought of seeing her live. It was a dream come true. It felt like the universe was aligning in my favor. Just thinking about what it would be like to be in the same room with her and with so many other fans made me excited.
The concert trip felt like living out a fantasy. My dad and I wore our sports jerseys, per Tate tradition. I even got to attend the sound check and Q&A, something I still can’t comprehend. After watching so many videos of her covers from other sound checks, I would finally be able to take my own videos of her captivating voice.
I remember her distinct laugh from backstage right before she came out, and the crowd going absolutely wild for her when she took her place. You can hear me say in my videos, “Oh my god, oh my god, she’s actually real.”
Watching her lose herself in the music when covering The 1975’s “Somebody Else” was sensational. My jaw dropped, and I froze in awe throughout her entire performance.
When she revealed she was about to sing “Plastic Palm Trees,” my favorite song of hers that didn’t make the set list, I turned to my dad, whisper-yelling, “That’s my favorite song! She’s about to perform my favorite song live!”
I almost cried listening to her. The joy was indescribable.
Ultimate fan moment
And it didn’t end there. I had the incredible luck of being at the same airport lounge as she waited for her flight out of Manila. Seeing her there felt like the ultimate fan moment.
I still vividly remember turning the corner, and there she was! I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw her chilling on a lounge chair just a couple of feet from me. She posted a photo of herself in that lounge chair on Instagram—and you can see me and my dad in the background.
Meeting her in person was the craziest, most surreal thing I could ever experience. She was so kind and genuine. When she signed my Sony headphones, I think my heart nearly exploded from how fast it was racing. I am still in disbelief that I got to have a moment to tell her how amazing and talented she is and how much she means to me.
The concert itself was everything I had hoped for and more. The lights, the music, the crowd singing together, united by our love for Tate. She and her dancers are the most talented performers, and her live vocals were better than any studio recording. Watching her brilliant performance was so surreal, and seeing the giant smile on her face as she had the time of her life was beautiful.
After the show, I reflected on how much Tate and her art and music mean to me. Witnessing her passionate pursuit of her career—from a 14-year-old singing at home to a 21-year-old in the spotlight—is something that I think I and many others can take inspiration from. Her career is a reminder of the sheer power of music and its ability to connect people everywhere. After all, it was able to connect me to her from the other side of the world.
I’m so grateful to have been a part of Tate’s journey, even as a fan. This experience will forever hold a special place in my heart.
The author, 12, currently resides in Hong Kong, and is an 8th Grader at Hong Kong International School.
