What to know
- Social media users are reacting after Canadian singer-songwriter Tate McRae appeared in an NBC commercial supporting Team USA ahead of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics and Super Bowl LX, where she praised American athletes including skier Lindsey Vonn.
- Following McRae’s Instagram post, some viewers criticized her for endorsing the U.S. instead of Canada, while others defended it as a business decision rather than a political statement.
- The debate was further fueled by past comments McRae made about feeling less at home in Canada since moving to Los Angeles, while others noted she wasn’t the only non-American involved, with UK artist Dua Lipa also appearing in a Team USA Olympic ad.
Calgary-born singer-songwriter Tate McRae appeared in a recent NBC commercial supporting Team USA ahead of the Olympic Winter Games, as well as the Super Bowl LX, and people online have mixed reactions.
In the advertisement, the artist appeared in a full red ski jumpsuit, telling a nearby white owl that she was lost, and looking for Milan to attend this Friday’s Milano Cortina 2026 opening ceremony.
Additionally, she said multiple American athletes would be aiming for gold and said U.S. skier Lindsey Vonn would have an epic comeback. McRae also mentioned the Olympics are followed by Super Bowl LX, the annual American NFL championship.
Viewer reaction
Following McRae’s Instagram post of the commercial, people all over the internet are weighing in on her support of our neighbours south of the border.
One Instagram user commented under her post about the irony behind the endorsement.
“The very American Tate McRae,” they said, adding a Canadian flag at the end.
“Choosing to endorse America vs. Canada, especially given the political climate [right now], is definitely a choice,” another Instagram user said. “Especially when you aren’t even American lmao just kinda weird.”
An X user echoed this sentiment, and said how her endorsement makes them feel.
“She’s a traitor, honestly there’s no excuse,” another X user replied.
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Some other people online said it wasn’t that serious.
“This isn’t political,” said one Instagram user under McRae’s post. “It’s basic economics. She works in the country that pays her. The Olympics aren’t a culture war.”
“Calling it weird isn’t an argument,” replied another Instagram user. “ Canada is a better country without a doubt, but I don’t see CBC or Global employing her. She got paid, period.”
Another X user agreed.
“A cheque is a cheque girl,” they said.
Another user said she was still supporting her home country in a different way.
In the past, McRae has said during one of her concerts that Canada, and her home city Calgary, was feeling less like home since moving to Los Angeles in 2020.
This hasn’t gone unnoticed with users online, with many of them also quoting this moment.
McRae wasn’t the only non-American repping the country.
U.K. artist Dua Lipa also appeared in an Olympics advertisement supporting Team USA.
Lipa also name-dropped four different American athletes – skiers Lindsey Vonn and Mikaela Shiffrin, figure skater Alysa Liu and snowboarder Chloe Kim – that will be competing in the competition.
“They’ll put on quite a show,” Lipa said. “The Winter Olympics? It’s gonna be so cool.”
The Olympics kick off with its opening ceremony on Friday, Feb. 6, but Team Canada enters its first competition on Wednesday, Feb. 4 in Mixed Doubles Curling.
