Tate McRae, a 22-year-old musician from Alberta, faced backlash this week for her appearance in an NBC ad promoting the 2026 U.S. Winter Olympics team. Criticism arose on social media, accusing McRae of favoring the United States over Canada. In response, she took to Instagram, asserting her Canadian loyalty by sharing a childhood photo with a Canadian flag.
In the ad, McRae is seen on a mountain in a red ski outfit, conversing with an owl in Cortina, the Olympic co-host city. She mentions her excitement about attending the opening ceremony in Milan, meeting Team USA, watching American athletes compete for gold, and the Super Bowl LX.
Critics, including Canadian actor Jack Innanen, expressed disappointment in McRae’s perceived support for the U.S. amidst strained U.S.-Canada relations. Pop culture commentator Liz Duff highlighted the sensitive nature of the situation due to political tensions and distinct cultural identities between the two countries.
McRae, originally from Calgary, had built her early career image around Canadian themes, such as hockey and the Calgary Stampede. Despite now residing in Los Angeles, she maintains connections to her Canadian roots, often attending Calgary Flames hockey games. Duff emphasized that fans had certain expectations of McRae given her Canadian persona, making her endorsement of Team USA surprising and unsettling for many.
The incident reflects a broader generational trend, with younger celebrities like McRae and Innanen facing scrutiny over their national allegiances in the current political climate. Duff noted that similar controversies involving Canadian figures like singer-songwriter Josh Ross and hockey legend Wayne Gretzky underscore the complexities of loyalty and identity in today’s society.
The response from fans, particularly from McRae’s and Innanen’s shared demographic of Gen Z followers, signals a shift in cultural allegiances and highlights the evolving landscape of Canadian pop culture. Despite the criticism and public reaction, McRae’s record label has yet to comment on the situation.