Canadian musician Tate McRae, hailing from Alberta, faced backlash this week following her appearance in an NBC advertisement promoting the 2026 U.S. Winter Olympics team. Responding to social media criticism over her seeming support for the United States over Canada, McRae took to Instagram to address the situation.
In the NBC commercial, McRae is seen on a mountain in a red ski outfit, engaging with an owl perched on a sign post for the Olympic co-host city of Cortina.
“I’m trying to get to Milan for an amazing opening ceremony and meet Team USA,” McRae states in the ad. “Then it’s the weekend, with America’s best skating for gold, and American alpine ski racer Lindsey Vonn’s epic comeback. Then back to the States for the big game: Super Bowl LX.”
Criticism of the advertisement surfaced in the comment section of McRae’s Instagram post and on various other platforms.
“That is some traitor s–t I just saw, big bro,” Canadian actor Jack Innanen expressed in an Instagram story. “That is a crazy time to go and support the United States in place of Canada on an international stage — a country that directly threatens your own.”
In a CBC News interview, Canadian pop culture commentator Liz Duff highlighted the strained relationship between Canada and the U.S., citing factors such as political tensions and cultural distinctions.
McRae, originally from Calgary, had built her early career image around Canadian themes, with her album “Think Later” and single “Exes” reflecting ties to Canadian culture. Despite now residing in Los Angeles, she has maintained connections to her Canadian roots, regularly attending Calgary Flames hockey games.
Canadian popstar Tate McRae found herself in hot water this week after appearing in a commercial for Milano Cortina seemingly in support of Team USA. CBC’s Griffin Jaeger shares why some fans aren’t too happy about the move.
“She is so what a Canadian pop star looks like, sounds like and is in the modern age,” Duff commented. “So seeing her do a direct endorsement for Team USA going into the Olympics — when we’re feeling Canadian pride at its peak — just was such a shock to the system for fans across Canada, and frankly around the world.”
Gen Z context
Duff noted the age factor in the situation, emphasizing the significance of McRae and Innanen’s similar ages and demographics.</