A fresh face in country music captivated millions at a recent holiday event, leaving viewers in awe with her commanding performance and striking resemblance to a global pop icon.
Dasha, born Anna Dasha Novotny, captivated audiences during her performance at Macy’s annual Thanksgiving Day Parade. The 24-year-old country singer, hailing from California, performed her hit single “Austin (Boots Stop Workin’)” and quickly became a focal point on social media — not just for her music, but for another surprising reason.
A user comment on Dasha, dated November 28, 2024 | Source: X/UncleJebRocks
The “Make A Scene” singer took the stage on a vibrant float, showcasing a bold and festive ensemble. She wore a striking red leather corset paired with matching mini shorts, layered under a cream feather-trimmed coat that added a glamorous yet practical touch to combat the rainy and chilly Thanksgiving weather.
Dasha attends the 2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 28, 2024, in New York City | Source: Getty Images
Her look was completed with knee-high white boots, loose golden waves cascading over her shoulders, and a daring red lip that tied the entire outfit together.
Dasha is seen in a photo shared on November 29, 2024 | Source: Instagram/dashamusic
On Instagram, the rising star expressed her gratitude for the opportunity, “a lot to be thankful for this year ❤️ thank you so much for having me @macys [sic]!!!!” Her post included photos from her performance, highlighting her dynamic stage presence and bold holiday-themed outfit.
Dasha is seen in a photo shared on November 29, 2024 | Source: Instagram/dashamusic
While her performance drew applause from parade-goers, Dasha’s appearance sparked a flurry of online discussions due to her resemblance to pop music sensation Taylor Swift. Fans and viewers shared their opinions across various platforms, with some finding the comparison amusing, while others focused on her talent.
Taylor Swift on November 14, 2024, in Toronto, Ontario | Source: Getty Images
One user commented, “When you order Taylor Swift from Temu.” Another echoed the sentiment, “Am I the only one who thinks Dasha looks and sounds just like Taylor Swift?” A similar comment read, “Dasha looking like Taylor Swift…”
Dasha is seen in a photo shared on November 29, 2024 | Source: Instagram/dashamusic
Not everyone was quick to dismiss Dasha as a mere lookalike. One netizen pointed out, “It’s easy to write off Dasha a Taylor Swift clone, but I see some legit talent here [sic].” However, opinions varied widely, with one remarking, “What’s a Dasha? I thought it was a Taylor Swift impersonator [sic],” and another questioning, “Is this Dasha trying to look like Swift, or were they just made in the same pop factory?”
Dasha is seen in a photo shared on November 29, 2024 | Source: Instagram/dashamusic
Critiques of her performance and styling also surfaced. “So anyone watching the @NBCPhiladelphia parade? Why did they have to dress @dasha like Taylor Swift? That outfit was not a good look for that song either,” one viewer remarked. Another user, seemingly unimpressed, wrote, “This Dasha person at the Macy’s Thanksgiving parade is annoying.”
Dasha attends the 2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 28, 2024, in New York City | Source: Getty Images
“Watching the Macy’s Day parade and Dasha just performed just my personal opinion, but she’s not trying to be a Taylor Swift wanna be is she [sic]?” wondered another netizen.
Despite the mixed feedback, some viewers celebrated her appearance and performance. “Really excited to see @dasha__music and the @KCRangerettes at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade,” one fan shared. “Way to represent Texas!”
Ahead of her dazzling performance, Dasha shared a candid behind-the-scenes glimpse on TikTok. Sitting in the backseat of a car, with a drink in hand, the young artist detailed the early morning start to her day.
Dasha is seen in a photo shared on November 29, 2024 | Source: Instagram/dashamusic
“Happy Thanksgiving. Happy Turkey Day. I’m on the way to the Macy’s Day Parade. Full glam, girls. Been up since like 4:30. It’s raining freaking cats and dogs. And I’m gonna be standing on a float for two hours in the rain waving, and then at the end, I perform ‘Austin’ at 9:53 Eastern and Pacific time. So, by the way, tune in and watch me slay…” she shared.
Dasha is seen in a photo shared on November 29, 2024 | Source: Instagram/dashamusic
Despite the rain, Dasha’s excitement was palpable as she humorously described her bold red lipstick, likening it to “Mrs. Claus had a night out.” She admitted that standing in the rain for hours could be challenging, but for her, being part of the prestigious event outweighed the discomfort. This candid insight into her day endeared her to fans, showcasing her determination and sense of humor.
Dasha is seen in a photo shared on November 29, 2024 | Source: Instagram/dashamusic
Dasha’s journey with “Austin” has been a transformative one. During an April 2024 interview with Eamonn Kelly on Smooth Radio, she delved into the inspiration for the song and the rapid changes it brought to her life. Speaking candidly, Dasha described the raw emotions that fueled her writing.
Dasha on August 24, 2024, in Leeds, England | Source: Getty Images
“I was really angry. As you can probably tell, I was pretty upset,” recalled the “Nervous” songstress. “No, it’s funny. I’d never been to Austin when I wrote the song. But if you think about it, the song’s not really about the city of Austin. It’s more like the excuses this guy would make up and our relationship.”
Dasha on July 31, 2024, in Nashville, Tennessee | Source: Getty Images
She went on to add, “And I was, like, in this year and a half situationship with this guy in Nashville, and I was just. At a certain point, ‘Austin’s, like, the breaking point on my album of, like, wow, I’ve actually been letting you treat me so poorly. I’m not gonna do that anymore.”
Dasha on May 16, 2024, in Frisco, Texas | Source: Getty Images
The artist also revealed how she came up with the song’s name. “And so it was, like, my moment of taking, almost, like, my pride and my strength back, being like, I’m leaving you here. Drunk washed up in Austin. Of course, it wasn’t actually drunk washed up in Austin. It was drunk washed up in Nashville. But Austin sounded better, so. Period.”
Dasha on May 15, 2024, in Frisco, Texas | Source: Getty Images
Dasha reflected on how her life changed after the song’s release, particularly as she entered the country music scene through major events like the CMT Awards.
“I mean, it was just wild. And during rehearsals a few days before, ’cause we got in, I think, on Wednesday or so, and Thursday, Friday, Saturday, we were all rehearsals for the show.”
Dasha on April 07, 2024, in Austin, Texas | Source: Getty Images
Dasha’s rise in country music isn’t limited to her chart success. Earlier this year, she made her debut at the CMT Awards, where she performed “Austin.” Recalling the experience, she shared how welcomed she felt by country music’s biggest stars.
“I met Kelsea Ballerini backstage, and she was so, so sweet, such an angel. Laney Wilson…was like giving me big sisterly advice,” Dasha said, adding that she was unsure how the industry’s “newbie” vibe would be. To her surprise, everyone was “unbelievably welcoming.”
Lainey Wilson and Dasha on April 07, 2024, in Austin, Texas | Source: Getty Images
Dasha also attended the prestigious CMA Awards, rubbing shoulders with country music icons like Keith Urban, Chris Stapleton, Post Malone, Laney Wilson, and Luke Combs. Reflecting her gratitude for the milestone, Dasha shared on Instagram, “Still can’t believe I didn’t have to sneak in this year…thanks for having me @cma 🩷.”
Dasha on November 20, 2024, in Nashville, Tennessee | Source: Getty Images
She attended the awards evening in a light purple strapless gown with intricate cutouts, embodying sophistication as she celebrated alongside the biggest names in country music.
From her electrifying performance at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade to her growing list of accolades, Dasha has proven she’s a force to be reckoned with in the music industry. With her candid personality and undeniable talent, Dasha continues to captivate fans, proving that she’s much more than just a lookalike. She’s an artist making her mark, one milestone at a time.