Tate McRae shuts down debate over Winter Olympics ad

Tate McRae is putting an end to online speculation after her appearance in a promotional ad for NBC’s coverage of the 2026 Winter Olympics sparked backlash among fans, particularly those from her native Canada.

The 22-year-old pop star addressed the chatter on Wednesday, Feb. 4, after viewers questioned why she appeared alongside Team USA athletes in the commercial rather than supporting Canadian Olympians. 

McRae responded directly on Instagram Stories, sharing a childhood photo of herself holding a small Canadian flag and writing, “…y’all know I’m Canada down.”

The NBC ad, which has gone viral, features McRae skiing in a red snowsuit as she asks a CGI snowy owl for directions to Milan ahead of the Winter Games. 

During the spot, she references major U.S. sporting events, including Team USA competitions, Lindsay Vonn’s highly anticipated comeback, and Super Bowl LX — notably without mentioning any Canadian athletes.

The omission prompted mixed reactions online, with some fans criticizing the singer for appearing to back the U.S. over Canada. 

“The absolute ick every Canadian just felt,” one commenter wrote, while another added, “We are Canadian — we do NOT cheer for Team USA at winter sports.”

Others, however, praised the ad’s humor and production, calling it “everything” and applauding McRae’s performance.

The commercial ends with a tongue-in-cheek exchange between two owls speaking Italian, poking fun at the confusion surrounding McRae’s brief cameo.

McRae, who grew up in Calgary, has long been open about her Canadian roots. Coincidentally, her birthday — July 1 — falls on Canada Day, a national holiday marking the country’s founding.

While the pop star has not issued further comment, her playful Instagram response appeared to settle the debate, reassuring fans that her national pride remains firmly intact — regardless of a global Olympic ad campaign.

The Milan Cortina Winter Olympics begin Feb. 6, airing on NBC and Peacock.