Canadian Tate McRae addresses backlash after appearing in ad promoting Team USA

Alberta-born pop star Tate McRae is drawing criticism from Canadians after appearing in an Olympic ad supporting Team USA.

Tate McRae is assuring fans her elbows are firmly up after receiving backlash for appearing in an ad highlighting Team USA.

McRae, who was born in Calgary, stars in a spot promoting Milan Cortina Winter Games television coverage on NBC and Peacock, which is to air the Olympics opening ceremony Friday as well as the Super Bowl on Sunday.

In the ad posted Wednesday, McRae appears on a snowy mountain on skis and asks an owl for help getting to Milan for the opening ceremony to meet Team USA.

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“Then it’s the weekend with America’s best skating for gold and Lindsey Vonn’s epic comeback,” she says in the ad. “And back to the States for the big game -- Super Bowl 60.”

The ad also promotes her latest single, “Nobody’s Girl.” 

On social media, some users were quick to share their disappointment with McRae promoting U.S. athletes instead of ones from her home country.

One Instagram user wrote, “Feel free to return your Canadian passport,” while another said, “No amount of money could make me endorse the country that threatens mine.”

The 22-year-old McRae responded to all the backlash late Wednesday, posting an Instagram story of a photo of herself as a child, holding a Canadian flag, with the caption, “...y’all know I’m Canada down.”

McRae is rumoured to be dating Team USA hockey star Jack Hughes after being photographed on multiple outings with the player.

Last week, McRae was announced as a leading nominee at this year’s Juno Awards, alongside Justin Bieber.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 5, 2026.