Addison Rae Tweets and the world rrrrrrumbles! Rae, a TikToker with followers numbering nearly 82 million – the third-highest on the platform – tweeted “I studied broadcast journalism in college for 3 whole months to prepare for this moment.” An ill-received joke, the balls of fury rained down on Rae. What about the journalism students, who, for years had meticulously studied their craft? What of those who applied? Who had an interest in the UFC for years? Hundreds of people responded to the tweet in a rage, defending those who have been working or studying in journalism for years.
What Happened?
Addison Rae studied sports broadcasting at Louisiana State University for a semester. She quit to focus on her influencer career. She began making dance and lip-sync TikToks, some with her family present. In under two years, she’s amassed millions of followers and tons of additional brand deals. She’s released a makeup line, her own clothing line, a movie part in the remake of “He’s All That”, she’s been on reality TV shows, and she’s released a single. Sprung forth from her influencer career came many lucrative opportunities.
Addison Rae’s dad is a huge UFC fan. The UFC heard about this and approached Rae and her family, asking if they’d like to come to watch a game for free. She and her family attended as VIP guests, as do most celebrities. From the free tickets given to her and hers, a part-time UFC intern she was invited to be. She was to come for – what the UFC described – as “social activation.” In layman’s terms, she was there to boost viewers. The UFC likely invited her because they know that she has a huge following who might watch the fights if they knew she was not only going to be there but doing something there.
She was never on UFC’s payroll. It was a job made up essentially just for social media influencers to boost views. She did a short interview with Dustin Poirier, the guy who fought Connor McGregor, for ESPN’s TikTok account. Then, she did an interview with MMA fighter Miesha Tate and posted it on Instagram. She did a short interview with UFC interviewer Laura Sanko, who is on UFC’s payroll. After all this, she went home. The UFC never fired or cut ties with her, because they never hired her, and her interview with Poirier did its intended purpose – brought viewers. The UFC still has content with Rae unreleased that they might or might not post to gain traction online.
Why Addison Rae?
Regardless if she’s beloved or hated, Addison Rae’s fame attracts people to whatever she’s attached to. This is obviously alluring to the UFC, and the UFC is alluring to Rae as well. The more exposure she gets, the better. Her presence attracts viewers, particularly young female viewers, which the UFC desperately needs. The following rage about Rae’s made-up job online provoked dozens of articles (hello!), videos, podcasts, Tweets, TikToks, and whispers about Rae and the UFC.
But… Addison Rae has no degree!
I mean… and? Neither did Kanye West, are we going to collectively stop listening to him and listen to someone less talented or interesting because West didn’t finish his diploma? Isn’t this kind of old school, upper-crust mentality, that one has to finish their degree to be in high esteem? We like him because he does the job, regardless of his background.
Let’s be totally honest, if Addison Rae did finish her degree, would there not be any outrage? Would the internet collectively agree that she earned her position? Rae’s talent is attracting viewers – which she did! How many people get 82 million followers online in a short amount of time, regardless of how attractive they are? Her following and clout amassed a massive career outside TikTok. This is not something not many influencers have done.
Where are Tana Mongeau’s movie deals? When did Charlie D’Amelio work for a major sports broadcasting company? When did PewDiePie release a clothing or makeup brand that brings significant income? There are dozens of people, like Rae, who have a significant platform and they haven’t turned it into a means of getting other work.
Pre-thought Criticism
If Rae did get a degree, would the internet collectively applaud her hard work and congratulate her on working for the UFC? Would public upset diminish? People would still claim she got that position from her fame. People would still say she’s only there because she’s attractive – which, if true, as if it’s her fault for being attractive and shouldn’t use a tool given to her out of contrived moral superiority. Every model should retire immediately! Every athlete given natural athletic ability – quit today! And as if it’s her fault that the business she wants to get into views women as only beautiful prize objects!
Rae worked at the UFC in the capacity to bring in viewers, and she did so extremely successfully. Her brand got more views, the UFC got more views, ESPN got more views. The people outraged didn’t have their jobs stolen from them. The job is for people with Rae’s qualifications. If anything, the Tweet was to get people talking – and did so successfully.
Miss TikTok, as Crowned by Trump
After the event, footage came out of Rae confidently approaching Donald Trump, also an avid UFC fan, and shaking his hand. Obviously, a terrible look for Rae. Regardless of her personal political opinions, Trump has aligned himself with some of the ugliest America has to offer. Again, I think that this was just another way for Rae to stay in the news. Perhaps she is a Trump supporter, but I highly doubt she didn’t know she would have been on camera. Another move of hers to keep eyes on her by all means necessary. I don’t even know who won the fight that night.
Featured image by Paul Einerhand by UNSPLASH.COM
