Tate McRae, a 22-year-old musician from Alberta, faced backlash this week for her appearance in an NBC advertisement showcasing the 2026 U.S. Winter Olympics team. Following criticism on social media for seemingly favoring the United States over Canada, McRae took to Instagram to address the issue.
In the ad, McRae is depicted on a mountain in a red ski outfit, conversing with an owl near the signpost for the Olympic co-host city of Cortina. She mentions her excitement about attending the opening ceremony in Milan, meeting Team USA, and watching American athletes compete for gold, including Lindsey Vonn’s comeback and the Super Bowl LX.
Criticism of the advertisement emerged on various platforms, including a comment from Canadian actor Jack Innanen, who accused McRae of betraying her country by supporting the United States on an international platform amid strained U.S.-Canada relations.
According to Canadian pop culture commentator Liz Duff, the strong reaction to McRae’s endorsement for Team USA stems from the heightened tensions between the two countries due to political issues and cultural differences. McRae, originally from Calgary, had previously associated herself with Canadian themes in her music and public image, creating an expectation among her fans.
The incident highlights a generational shift, with similar-aged individuals like McRae and Innanen representing differing perspectives on national loyalty in the current contentious Canada-U.S. relationship. Despite McRae’s connection to Canada in her career and personal life, her endorsement of Team USA at a critical moment has surprised and disappointed many fans globally.
The response from McRae’s record label to requests for comments remains pending.
