Canadian pop star Tate McRae is facing criticism after starring in an NBC promotional ad for the Olympics and Super Bowl. The promo features McRae, decked out in red snow gear on a snowy mountain, urging an owl to head to Milan for the Olympic opening ceremony, specifically to meet Team USA, rather than Team Canada, her native team.
In the advertisement, she enthusiastically states, “It’s the weekend with America’s best skating for gold, and Lindsey Vonn’s epic comeback.” While promoting the event, McRae, who was born in Calgary, Alberta, has attracted backlash amidst heightened political tensions between Canada and the U.S. over trade and tariffs. Many social media users pointed out her apparent favoritism towards American athletes.
Media outlet Made in Canada commented, “Team USA? Aren’t you team Canada?” while World Hockey Report offered a more scathing perspective stating, “As a Canadian, we are no longer claiming Tate McRae and she should be banned from Flames games.”
Critics have been vocal in discussing the ad’s implications. In a discussion shared on Virgin Radio Toronto’s TikTok account, hosts Daryn Jones and Deepa Prashad questioned McRae’s decision to celebrate American athletes. Prashad lamented, “Do they not have an American who could be in that ad?” while Jones noted, “The Olympics were in Calgary, your hometown, Tate McRae. Is there no national pride?”
Notably, McRae has made significant strides in her music career, achieving over 20.8 billion streams, landing multiple No. 1 hits, and releasing a top album on the Billboard 200 chart. She has received recognition in prestigious lists, gracing the TIME100’s Next issue in 2025, Variety’s 2022 Power of Young Hollywood, Billboard’s 21 Under 21 for four consecutive years, and Forbes’ 2021 30 Under 30, making her the youngest musician included.
Completing a successful global Miss Possessive Arena Tour with over 80 dates and selling a million tickets across North America, Europe, Latin America, and the UK, McRae continues to rise in the music industry.
As the Olympics approach, the promos featuring artists like Glenn Powell, Scarlett Johansson, Dua Lipa, and many others, are expected to draw attention and anticipation. The Olympics will be broadcast across NBC’s networks through February 22, creating an opportunity for McRae and other stars to resonate with their respective audiences. Despite the backlash, McRae’s career continues to thrive, showcasing her talent to a global audience.