Tate McRae Reflects on Touring and Identity at Variety Hitmakers Brunch

Canadian singer Tate McRae delivered a thoughtful and introspective speech while accepting the Powerhouse of the Year Award at Variety’s 2025 Hitmakers Brunch on 6 December. Speaking before an audience of music and entertainment industry representatives, she candidly shared how a year on the road reshaped her perspective both as an artist and a young woman.

Opening her speech with striking honesty, McRae said, “As a young woman in the music industry, I don’t always feel like a powerhouse and sometimes I don’t even know what power means.” Her experiences touring over the past year helped her understand where confidence comes from and how external expectations can influence it. She added, “The more I performed, the more I realised that power cannot simply be measured by applause, metrics, or perfection in performance.”

Touring also exposed a duality within her. She explained, “I toured all year and found myself confused as to how two completely different people could exist in one body. There was a shy and awkward version of me, and then this fearless, confident version on stage. This contrast forced me to reconcile with myself.” She added, “It really made me focus on and appreciate who I am when I’m alone.”

McRae went on to say that her definition of power has evolved. “Power, to me, is not about perfection or success. It is about grit, authenticity, and having the courage to put yourself out there even when you are unsure how.”

Her speech came just weeks after concluding her Miss Possessive Tour, her first arena tour spanning 83 shows across Europe, North and Latin America, supporting her third studio album, So Close to What. The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and topped charts worldwide, marking her strongest release yet. The tour reaffirmed the 22-year-old singer’s commanding presence as a live performer.

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