Tate McRae Reveals the 'Number One' Rule She Follows to Safeguard Her Creativity

The pop star Tate McRae knows the dangers of searching for herself online. At 21, she considers herself an over-thinker, aware of how easily one can be swayed by public opinion. She reveals her "rule number one" to PEOPLE: "Never search yourself up on the internet."

"Engaging in that search stunts your creativity," she explains. "Creating music from a place of fear and judgment is the worst scenario. It’s human nature to seek negative feedback, to know what people dislike. Therefore, I remind myself: ‘I need to get off my phone.’"

Recently, McRae was named Neutrogena’s Global Ambassador in celebration of Hydro Boost Water Gel’s 10-year anniversary. She recently announced that her third album, "So Close to What," will be released on February 21.

McRae emphasizes that following her own advice fosters greater musical success. She believes confidence sparks creativity: "Whenever I’m confident and unafraid, I create my best work. Freedom is crucial for my best ideas. I actively try to block out negative feedback."

Releasing music strikes her as both terrifying and exhilarating. She notes her commitment to creativity and experimentation. "Whenever I walk into the studio, I aim not to play it safe. The worst is debuting work that feels stagnant – whether for myself or for others," she states.

"Each session pushes me to consider, ‘What excites me? What am I passionate about?’ I filter out the opinions and focus on crafting something authentic to my identity as a 21-year-old woman."

As she prepares to launch her album, McRae expressed her enthusiasm about the creative process. She posted on Instagram, calling it "the most beautiful and exciting journey."

The record follows her second album, "Think Later," marked by hits like "Greedy" and "Exes."

In her interview with PEOPLE, McRae shared her beauty routine during tours: "I use Neutrogena wipes to remove makeup, follow up with a light cleanser, and then apply Hydro Boost Water Gel."

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