The 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina are starting off with challenges for Team Canada, as multiple athletes, including Mark McMorris and Deanna Stellato-Dudek, have faced serious training injuries. Compounding the situation, Canada’s women’s hockey team’s game was postponed due to a norovirus outbreak.
However, the spotlight isn’t solely on athletes this time; pop sensation Tate McRae has also found herself at the center of a controversy. The Canadian singer, originally from Alberta, recently voiced her support for Team USA in an advertisement for NBC, which has accumulated over 14 million views on Instagram. Following the ad’s release, social media comments have expressed strong opinions, highlighting the complex dynamics of national pride and loyalty in a politically charged climate.
In a recent episode of the podcast Commotion, culture critics discussed the implications of McRae’s endorsement. Joan highlighted that her decision, while disappointing from a patriotism standpoint, aligns with the commercial motivations of artists seeking success in an industry closely tied to American media and culture. She noted that for pop stars, like McRae, working with an American platform often presents a more lucrative opportunity than endorsing Canada.
Jackson pointed out that there is a historical pattern of Canadian celebrities gravitating toward the U.S., suggesting that Canada has allowed its own star system to diminish, resulting in artists feeling compelled to seek recognition elsewhere. McRae attempted to address the backlash by posting a childhood photo with a Canadian flag, captioned “Y’all know I’m Canada down,” though some interpret this as insincere, linking it to the concept of “maplewashing”—where brands or figures present themselves as authentically Canadian in an attempt to garner local support.
The conversation illustrates the pressures Canadian stars face in a globalized entertainment landscape and raises questions about national identity and loyalty. The Olympic Games, typically a time of unified national pride, have entered a unique and complicated moment, reflecting broader cultural tensions. As the Games approach, perhaps this controversy can foster a more nuanced dialogue about the interplay of celebrity, nationality, and the inherent challenges artists face in a competitive market.