NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
Canadian-born pop star Tate McRae doubled down on her roots after fans were outraged on social media over her support of Team USA in a recent ad promoting the Milan Cortina Olympics and Super Bowl LX.
McRae, who was born in Calgary, Alberta, seemed to intensify the sporting rivalry between Canada and the United States when she appeared in an ad for NBC. In the clip, shared on Instagram with her nine million followers, McRae expressed excitement at meeting American athletes, including Olympic gold medalist Lindsey Vonn.
Lindsey Vonn competes during the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup Women’s Downhill on Prampero Slope at Monte Lussari. The event took place in Tarvisio, Italy on January 17, 2026. (Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images)
“I’m trying to get to Milan for a great opening ceremony and meet Team USA,” she said in the ad. “Will be spending 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,” she said in the ad.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Pakinomist
Amid rising political tensions between the two border nations – which came to the sporting world during the 4 Nations Face-Off – McRae’s support for Team USA did not seem to go down well with Canadians, who called her a “traitor”, among other things.
But McRae took to social media to respond to the backlash and perhaps reveal where her loyalties really lie.
McRae posted a childhood photo of herself holding the Canadian flag with a caption that read, “… You know I’m Canada down.”
CANADIAN-BORN SINGER TATE MCRAE SPARKS IS FURY AT BACKING TEAM USA IN OLYMPICS AD: ‘TRAITOR’
But not everyone on social media seemed to agree with McRae’s response.
“Yeah, no. Her word ‘Y’all’ says something else,” one person wrote on X.
Tate McRae performs on stage during the iHeartRadio Music Festival 2025 at T-Mobile Arena. The performance took place in Las Vegas, Nevada on September 19, 2025. (Kevin Winter/Getty Images for iHeartRadio)
“Well why support the US team? Sometimes it’s important to support your own country and not just go for the money and especially in times like this,” added another.
“Damage control,” came another reply.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE Pakinomist APP
Backlash over McRae’s ad set the stage for escalating tensions between the US and Canada.
Most recently in the skeleton competition, many Americans remain outraged by the absence of five-time Olympian Katie Uhlaender in Milan Cortina after Team Canada was found to have rigged an Olympic qualifier last month that prevented Uhlaender from earning enough points to reach this year’s Winter Games.
Katie Uhlaender (US) competes in the women’s skeleton event at the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at the Olympic Sliding Center in Pyeongchang, South Korea, on February 17, 2018. (James Lang/USA TODAY Sports)
