Canadian Pop Star Tate McRae Sparks U.S.–Canada Olympic Drama With a Team USA Ad [WATCH]

Canadian-born pop singer Tate McRae has found herself at the center of cross-border Olympic controversy after appearing in an NBC promotional ad expressing support for Team USA ahead of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, as reported by The New York Post.

McRae, who was born in Calgary, Alberta, in 2003 and attended high school in Canada, has built her music career primarily in the United States.

In the NBC commercial, McRae speaks to an owl while asking how to get to Milan and expresses enthusiasm about attending the Olympic opening ceremony and watching American athletes compete.

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“I’m trying to get to Milan for an amazing opening ceremony and meet Team USA. Gonna spend the week with some of America’s best skating for gold and Lindsey Vonn’s epic comeback. And back to the states for the big game, Super Bowl LX,” McRae said in the ad.

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Her appearance and explicit support for Team USA quickly sparked backlash from Canadian social media users, some of whom accused her of betraying her home country.

One user referenced comments previously made by Donald Trump suggesting Canada could become America’s 51st state.

“Every year, I feel more valid in my dislike of her. Girl, why are you advertising for the USA team after that country threatened to annex your actual home country of Canada? Traitor s–t,” the user wrote.

Another post read, “Not the Canadian born and raised girl, promoting Team USA and wearing all red, given the state of the USA and everything Trump has said about Canada… I guess a paycheque is a paycheque? This is so embarrassing.”

A third user added, “Tate McRae, who is from Calgary, Alberta, is doing Olympic promos for Team USA… more like ‘Trait McRator’ AMIRITE!”

McRae also received public support from both American and Canadian users,s pushing back against the criticism.

“Quote tweets are full of woke Canadians attacking her as a traitor for promoting Team USA. Tate McRae is the model immigrant. This is what assimilation looks like. She’s part of our melting pot. Take your anti-American xenophobia elsewhere,” one supporter wrote.

Another user commented, “Selling out for USA is the most Albertan thing she could do to be fair.”

McRae acknowledged the controversy by posting a photo of herself as a child holding a Canadian flag, captioned, “y’all know I’m Canada down.”

Tate McRae posts a throwback pic with a Canadian flag to her Instagram stories:

“y’all know I’m Canada down” – @tatemcrae pic.twitter.com/APWjZ7tzqB

— Made In Canada (@MadelnCanada) February 5, 2026

The dispute comes amid heightened tensions between the United States and Canada compared to previous Winter Olympics.

Relations have been strained by trade disputes, tariffs imposed on Canadian goods entering the U.S. last year, and political rhetoric that has carried into the sports world.

Those tensions are already expected to spill onto the ice in Milan Cortina. During the NHL’s 4 Nations Face Off last January, fans booed opposing national anthems, and fights broke out during hockey games.

Several players on the U.S. women’s Olympic ice hockey team have said they are prepared for hostile environments. U.S. star Caroline Harvey told Fox News Digital she expects anthem booing and physical play.

“It’s expected, especially playing Canada,” Harvey said.

“They don’t like us very much. So, it’s more motivating than anything and, personally, it fuels the fire and makes us want to, you know, beat them more than ever.”

Veteran teammate Kendall Coyne Schofield said she would respond physically if necessary. “If I have to, I have to,” she told Fox News Digital.

Meanwhile, controversy has also emerged in skeleton competition after Team Canada was found to have manipulated an Olympic qualifier last month, preventing five-time Olympian Katie Uhlaender from earning enough points to qualify for the Milan Cortina Games.

As the Winter Olympics approach, McRae’s ad has become an unlikely flashpoint in a growing rivalry expected to intensify once competition begins.

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