Canadian pop sensation Tate McRae recently reflected on her remarkable headlining performance at Lollapalooza, where she captivated audiences with a dramatic finale featuring a bathtub filled with gold paint. The 23-year-old singer shared her thoughts on the experience, describing the shimmering substance as reminiscent of “Nickelodeon slime” during an appearance on *The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon* on 7 October.
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The grand finale occurred on 2 August, when McRae emerged from the inviting gold liquid, leaving the audience in awe. However, behind the glitz and glamour lay a less glamorous reality, as McRae admitted that the experience of being covered in gold paint was anything but pleasant. “It wasn’t sexy at all,” she recounted, reflecting on her struggle to climb out of the bathtub filled with the metallic substance. Despite this, she expressed immense satisfaction at the way the performance turned out, insisting it was “so fun” to bring her creative vision to life.
Creative director Parker Genoway, who played a pivotal role in crafting this extravagant finale, spoke exclusively to *PEOPLE* about the preparations required for such a spectacular show-stopping moment. Genoway revealed that achieving the desired aesthetic of a “molten, gilded, untouchable statue” necessitated a staggering 660 gallons of skin-safe gold liquid. This endeavours aimed to ensure that McRae would shine brightly as she closed her 90-minute set at the renowned Chicago music festival.
The unique gold paint was not an off-the-shelf product; it was developed by Wesley Goodrich and Blair Adhesives, the same team responsible for creating Nickelodeon’s iconic green slime. The lot had travelled a considerable distance, making its way from Los Angeles and Montreal before arriving in Chicago for the event. Genoway explained that there was a collective agreement among the creative team — which included noted directors Ludovic de Saint Sernin, Ignacio Muñoz, and Alex Clark — that McRae’s performance deserved a finale that would leave audiences utterly astonished.
Their collaborative vision had been months in the making. McRae noted that the concept had originated from discussions about her grand presentations, especially referencing her striking gold gown designed by de Saint Sernin for the Met Gala earlier that year. “It sounds insane,” she laughed, recalling how they envisioned the bathtub on stage during their planning sessions.
Since her Lollapalooza triumph, McRae has continued to make waves in the music industry. She has announced the release of her new single, “Housewife,” set to debut on 15 October, and is preparing to perform at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in Los Angeles on 18 October.
In addition to her musical pursuits, McRae has expanded her brand by launching her debut fragrance, TATE 01. Developed in partnership with Scent Beauty, Inc. and the esteemed perfumers at Givaudan, the scent has been crafted to evoke a sense of second-skin intimacy. McRae shared her excitement about this venture, stating that creating her own business has always been a dream for her and that this fragrance represents an exhilarating new chapter in her life.
The pop star’s ventures highlight both her artistic talent and her entrepreneurial spirit, marking her as a prominent figure in the entertainment world. With ongoing projects and ambitious plans, McRae continues to push boundaries, embracing opportunities and creating memorable experiences for her fans. As she navigates this fast-paced industry, her golden moment at Lollapalooza remains a shining example of her capacity to captivate audiences and realise her artistic vision.