Ontario-born singer Josh Ross is apologizing after receiving backlash from Canadians for calling the U.S. the “best” country in the world.
During the Tailgate N’ Tallboys festival in Bloomington, Indiana on June 13, the country star was recorded praising the U.S. while holding up its national flag and starting a chant for the country.
“Fun fact, a little bit, I’m Canadian. But do you wanna know the best fun fact? It is that I moved to the best f***king country in the world and I love it very much,” he said during the concert.
As the video circulated online, many Canadians were upset with the comments, especially amid rising tensions between the two countries after the U.S. President Donald Trump imposed tariffs on Canadian goods and made comments about annexing Canada.
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After facing backlash online, Ross released a video earlier this week apologizing for the comments, but did not retract what he said.
“I’m sorry to anybody who was offended by what I said,” he said. “I’m as proud of establishing myself in the U.S. as I am of being Canadian. Those sides were not communicated in the clip you guys are seeing and I’m sorry that that wasn’t clear.”
Although he was born in Hamilton and raised in Burlington, he says he has now been living in Nashville, Tennessee for over five years, and his family lives in both countries.
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“I’m grateful I get to tour all over the world and I feel like I’m always representing Canada no matter where I go,” he said.
But the video didn’t sit well with many Canadian fans, who don’t seem to have accepted the apology.
“Can’t go back now. ‘Sorry not sorry’ it was extremely offensive to the country who has supported you (saw you in Edmonton with Jelly Roll). I will be thinking of your statement every time your name comes up now. Is what it is, bud,” one TikToker said.
“Been away from Canada for too long, forgot how to properly say sorry,” another user said.
“You broke my heart. Yes, as Canadians we know how to apologize. But saying sorry doesn’t fix it. Your action spoke volumes,” a different user chimed in.
“I’m trying to understand how you think what you said is not offensive to Canada. U.S. best country in the world? I guess you have no idea what is happening around you,” another user added.
Meanwhile, some fans think the apology wasn’t necessary, and see no problem with what Ross said.
“It shouldn’t matter where you live or what you represent. You are still a person. No one should be shaming you like this, one TikTok user said.
“Be amazing. Don’t worry about the haters. You’re born and raised Canadian and always will be, another user pointed out.
“You didn’t say anything negative about Canada, wild for people to be offended by what you said,” a different user added.
