One of Canada’s biggest pop exports is finding herself in some icy water with fans back home after a new Olympic ad left many feeling a little less than patriotic.
Calgary-born singer Tate McRae is facing a wave of social media backlash this week following the release of a high-profile NBC Sports commercial.
In the promo, the 22-year-old “greedy” singer is seen sporting a red ski suit while hyping up the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan – but is specifically throwing her support behind Team USA.
The ad features McRae skiing through a snowy landscape and chatting with an owl about her excitement for the Opening Ceremony and the chance to meet American athletes. She also highlights the highly anticipated comeback of legendary American skier Lindsey Vonn and mentions heading back to the States for Super Bowl LX.
The reaction from Canadian fans was swift and, in many cases, saddened. While McRae has often been hailed as a “Canadian Princess of Pop,” commenters were quick to remind her of her Alberta roots, with many questioning why a homegrown talent would be the face of the rival American squad.
Of course, not everyone is reaching for their pitchforks. Many supporters are defending the move as a major career milestone and a “get that bag” moment, noting that British star Dua Lipa appeared in a similar NBC campaign earlier this season.
Whether it’s a case of business over borders or a new chapter for the singer, the artist is certainly the talk of the town as the torch prepares to be lit in Italy.