RAYE Reveals Performance Secrets and "Tea" Shared by Taylor Swift During Award Show Reunion

British singer RAYE reveals the "tea and tips" Taylor Swift shared regarding three-hour concert stamina and long-lasting lipstick during the 2026 iHeartRadio Awards.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 28, 2026, 9:19 AM EDT

Source: People

Performance Stamina and the Three Hour Set

During the Los Angeles ceremony on March 26, RAYE—born Rachel Keen—recounted her curiosity regarding Swift’s legendary endurance. Specifically, the 28-year-old songwriter sought guidance on how to maintain a high-energy performance for a three-hour duration, a feat Swift mastered during her record-breaking Eras Tour. RAYE noted that Swift was incredibly forthcoming, providing what she described as "all the tea and the tips" on managing the physical toll of such an extensive stage production.

The Secret to the Smudge-Proof Red Lip

In addition to professional stamina, the conversation veered into practical stage aesthetics. RAYE admitted to struggling with makeup maintenance during her emotionally charged vocal performances, noting that her lipstick often "goes all over [her] face." Swift, 36, whose signature red lip has become a cultural staple known for its resilience under stadium lights, reportedly shared the specific techniques used to keep her look intact throughout a full concert.

TRANSFORMATIVE ANALYSIS: The interaction between RAYE and Swift represents a significant "passing of the torch" moment in the 2026 pop landscape. While Swift has solidified her status as a billionaire industry titan, her willingness to mentor emerging global forces like RAYE—who swept the BRIT Awards in 2024 and opened for Swift in London—demonstrates a strategic alliance between two of the industry's most successful independent-minded women. By publicly sharing these "tips," RAYE humanizes the monumental figure of Swift while positioning herself as a serious student of the "stadium-pop" craft.

A High-Stakes Night at the iHeartRadio Awards