Who is Tate McRae? Canadian pop star responds to criticism over endorsing Team USA in Winter Olympics

Canadian pop singer Tate McRae has responded to criticism over her appearance in a Team USA commercial promoting the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, after some Canadians questioned her decision to endorse the American team. On Wednesday evening, January 4, McRae shared a childhood photo of herself holding a Canadian flag on Instagram. In the post, she wrote that she’s “Canada down,” showing support for her home country amid severe backlash.

The response comes after McRae appeared in an NBC commercial endorsing Team USA for the upcoming Milan Olympics. Some Canadians criticized the move, particularly in light of ongoing political tensions between the two countries.


On Tuesday, McRae, who was born on Canada Day, July 1, shared the NBC advertisement on Instagram with a caption that read in part, “Go sports.” The post quickly drew criticism from Canadian users.

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A post shared by Tate McRae (@tatemcrae)

One user reacted sharply, writing, “No amount of money could make me endorse the country that threatens mine.” Another commented, “The absolute ick every Canadian just felt. In 2026… what were you and your team thinking?” A third user referenced her nationality, posting, “girl you’re canadian pls what is this.”

Who is Tate McRae?

Tate McRae is a Canadian pop singer, songwriter, and dancer from Calgary, Alberta. She first gained public attention as a young dancer on So You Think You Can Dance before transitioning into music and achieving global success. McRae rose to prominence with viral hits such as “you broke me first” and “greedy,” and is known for her blend of dance-pop, emotive vocals, and confessional songwriting. Her albums I Used to Think I Could Fly and Think Later helped cement her place as a leading pop artist. According to Interview Magazine, McRae currently lives in Los Angeles after moving from New York in 2025. She has more than 9 million followers on Instagram.