Jae-Ha Kim
Chicago Tribune
October 8, 2019
Trained at the School of Alberta Ballet, Tate McRae finished third on “So You Think You Can Dance: The Next Generation” in 2016. She was a voice actress for the “Lalaloopsy” series. And her YouTube channel, “Create with Tate,” has more than 1.7 million subscribers. Recently signed to RCA Records, the 16-year-old Canadian entertainer is following up her debut single, “tear myself apart,” with “all my friends are fake.” A resident of Calgary, McRae stays in touch with her fans on Twitter and Instagram.
Q. What is your favorite vacation destination?
A. I love traveling to new places around the world, but I always like going to our cabin in Invermere (British Columbia). I love boating, surfing and just hanging out with my family and friends. Get out on the lake and enjoy the water. It is a glacier-fed lake, so is super clear and refreshing.
Q. What untapped destination should people know about?
A. Canada in general is a beautiful country. There are so many mountains and (still) so many things close to Calgary that I have not seen.
Q. What was the first trip you took as a child?
A. I traveled so much as a child. When I was four, we moved to the Oman in the Middle East. We lived there for three years and I got to explore Oman, as well as many places around there. We went to Dubai in the UAE, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Egypt and then explored a lot of countries in Europe.
Q. What’s the most important thing you’ve learned from your travels?
A. Be openminded and take everything in. Cultures are all so diverse and different and you can learn so much from the people.
Q. If you could only pick one place to eat, would you choose a casual meal at a street cart or a food truck or fine dining at a nice restaurant?
A. I’m a busy girl, so I always like things quick and easy. Usually healthy, little cafes are perfect. But I am not picky.
Q. Where are your favorite weekend getaways?
A. Definitely the cabin in Invermere. It’s a three-hour drive from our house through the mountains. As soon as we get there, I feel like I am on vacation.
Q. What kind of destinations do you like best?
A. Anywhere tropical. I am obsessed with turquoise water, waterfalls, swimming holes. … Wherever I am, there has to be lots to do, though, because I am not good at sitting around. I do not enjoy sun-tanning or sitting and always need to be going somewhere or exploring!
Q. If you’ve ever gone away for the holidays, which was the best trip?
A. The best trip we took at Christmas would have to be on a ski trip to Switzerland. It was so magical. I love Christmas. It is my favorite holiday of the year. I love being somewhere cold at Christmas so that there is snow.
Q. Do you speak any foreign languages? And in the same train of thought, do you pick up new languages easily?
A. My mom is German, so she speaks German to her family. I spent three weeks in Berlin and did pick up quite a bit. I think if I would have stayed longer, I would be able to speak it.
Q. What are your five favorite cities?
A. New York City, Los Angeles, London, Toronto and Paris.
Q. Where have you traveled to that most reminded you of home?
A. Definitely Australia! The culture and people and the vast amount of space reminded me of Canada. Of course, we do not have kangaroos.
Q. Where would you like to go that you have never been to before?
A. I really want to go to Fiji.
Q. When you go away, what are some of your must-have items?
A. I hate packing and unpacking, so I like to pack super light. Really if I have my passport, credit card, phone and a change of clothes, I am good to go.
Q. What would be your dream trip?
A. Going to somewhere like Fiji or Bora Bora. I love the ocean and white sand and those little cute villas people stay in.
Q. How do you deal with jetlag?
A. I always fall asleep on planes. No matter what. As soon as the engine starts, I usually am out until the end of the flight. I love sleeping on planes.
Q. What kind of research do you do before you go away on a trip?
A. I am a total last-minute girl. I live in the moment and rarely plan. I like things to happen organically. I know this drives people crazy about me. I do not do any research. I get there and then whatever happens happens!
Q. What is your worst vacation memory?
A. It would have to be traveling alone for the first time and losing my passport, cash and visa. It was disastrous. I was 12 and it definitely was not a fun time trying to figure that one out.
© 2019 JAE-HA KIM
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