Alberta’s Tate McRae faced backlash this week for her appearance in an NBC ad promoting the 2026 U.S. Winter Olympics team. Following criticism on social media accusing her of favoring the U.S. over Canada, McRae took to Instagram to address the issue.
In the ad, McRae is featured on a mountain in a red ski outfit, conversing with an owl near the signpost for the Olympic co-host city of Cortina. She mentions her excitement about attending the opening ceremony in Milan, meeting Team USA, and watching American athletes compete for gold, including Lindsey Vonn’s comeback in alpine skiing and Super Bowl LX.
Criticism of the ad surfaced in the comments section of McRae’s Instagram post and through various platforms. Canadian actor Jack Innanen described the move as traitorous, given the strained relations between the U.S. and Canada due to political tensions and trade disputes.
Pop culture commentator Liz Duff highlighted the significance of McRae’s endorsement of Team USA amid the current delicate state of U.S.-Canada relations. Duff emphasized that McRae, originally from Calgary, had cultivated a strong association with Canadian culture in her early career, which set certain expectations among her fans.
The controversy surrounding McRae’s ad reflects a broader trend of Canadian personalities facing scrutiny for their perceived allegiances. Duff noted that the involvement of individuals like McRae and Innanen, who resonate with younger audiences, underscores a shift in pop culture loyalty among Gen Z.
Despite the backlash, McRae’s record label has not commented on the issue.