Tate McRae delivered a thoughtful and introspective speech as she accepted the Powerhouse of the Year Award at Variety’s 2025 Hitmakers Brunch on December 6. Standing before an industry crowd that has witnessed her rapid rise, the Canadian singer opened up about the evolving meaning of power and how a year spent on the road reshaped her perspective as both an artist and a young woman.
McRae began her speech with striking honesty. “As a young woman in the music industry, I don’t always feel like a powerhouse or even know what power means,” she shared. She explained that the past year forced her to reconsider where confidence comes from and how easily it can be distorted by outside expectations. The more she toured, the more she realized that power couldn’t be defined by applause, metrics, or performance perfection.
Touring, she revealed, exposed a duality within herself. “I toured all year long and found myself so confused as to how two completely different people could exist in one body,” she said. “I had this shy and awkward version of myself, and then this super fearless, super confident person on stage.” That contrast pushed her to confront the space between the two—to understand who she is when the spotlight turns off and the noise fades. “It really forced me to focus on and value who I am when I’m alone,” she added.
McRae went on to explain that her definition of power has shifted. “Power, to me, isn’t about perfection or success or being the loudest person in the room,” she said. “Power is about grit and authenticity and being brave enough to put yourself out there even when you don’t know how to.”
Her speech arrives just weeks after McRae wrapped her Miss Possessive Tour, her first arena tour and a milestone moment in her career. Spanning 83 shows across Europe, North and Latin America, the tour supported her third studio album So Close to What, a commercial and critical breakthrough. The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and topped charts worldwide, marking her strongest release to date. The Miss Possessive Tour also reaffirmed the 22-year-old singer’s status as a commanding live performer.
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