Canadian musician Tate McRae faced backlash this week after appearing in an NBC advertisement promoting the 2026 U.S. Winter Olympics team. The 22-year-old artist, originally from Alberta, received criticism on social media for seemingly favoring the United States over her home country. In response, McRae took to Instagram to assert her loyalty to Canada by posting a childhood photo holding a Canadian flag.
The NBC ad features McRae on a mountain in a red ski outfit, engaging with an owl near the Olympic co-host city of Cortina. She mentions her excitement about attending the opening ceremony in Milan, meeting Team USA, watching American skaters compete for gold, and anticipating Lindsey Vonn’s comeback, followed by the Super Bowl LX.
Criticism towards McRae’s participation in the ad stemmed from concerns about her supporting the U.S. amid strained relations between the two countries, highlighted by President Donald Trump’s threats against Canada, trade disputes, and the emphasis on preserving Canadian cultural identity.
As a Calgary native, McRae’s early career was closely tied to Canadian themes, including hockey references in her album “Think Later” and the Calgary Stampede inspiration in her single “Exes.” Despite now residing in Los Angeles, her frequent appearances at Calgary Flames hockey games further solidified her association with Canada in the eyes of her fans.
The incident has sparked discussions about loyalty and national identity, particularly among Gen Z individuals like McRae and Canadian actor Jack Innanen, who criticized her endorsement of Team USA. Their responses reflect a broader trend of younger generations redefining their cultural allegiances in the face of evolving social and political dynamics.
While McRae’s management team declined to comment on the situation, the episode serves as a reminder of the complexities surrounding public figures’ national affiliations in today’s interconnected world.