At the 2025 Las Culturistas Culture Awards, Broadway star Ben Platt surprised the audience with a dramatic orchestral cover of Addison Rae’s pop hit “Diet Pepsi.” The performance quickly went viral, earning praise from fans and critics alike, and Rae herself has now shared her thoughts on the rendition.
Addison Rae Weighs In
In a recent appearance on Apple Music’s Zane Lowe show, Rae was asked whether she had seen Platt’s cover. Her reaction was glowing. “Ben is amazing and has an incredible voice, so I was very honored to hear his take on the song,” she said.
Rae also noted the personal connection she felt to the performance. “It was a full circle moment because some of the people who worked on that track were also part of my EP,” she explained. “It was funny and really special to see it come together like that.”
From Streaming Hit to Viral Moment
“Diet Pepsi,” released earlier this summer as part of Rae’s self-titled debut album, climbed to No. 4 on the Billboard 200 and fueled excitement for her first headlining tour. With streaming numbers for hits like “Diet Pepsi” and “Aquamarine” soaring, fans expected Rae to appear in awards categories such as Best New Artist.
When nominations came out without her name, Rae admitted she felt overlooked. “It’s definitely funny when you put a lot of work into something and don’t get recognized by a place you hoped to contribute to,” she said in her Apple Music interview.
Ben Platt’s Viral Moment
Platt’s orchestral rendition quickly became a fan favorite on social media. Its popularity prompted him to release a live version on Spotify shortly after the awards. In an interview with Billboard, Platt reflected on the unexpected viral attention. “I’ve had lots of highs and lows in my career, but this level of virality online is new for me. I certainly didn’t see it coming,” he said.
Producer Leland confirmed that Platt’s version is now available across all streaming platforms, allowing fans to relive the moment anytime.
