Pop star Tate McRae just learned the hard way that patriotism runs deep, especially when you’re promoting the wrong team.
The 22-year-old singer, who is Canadian, sparked backlash this week after partnering with NBC and Peacock to hype up the 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony and Team USA. She posted the promo Tuesday on Instagram with a cheerful caption reading: “Go sports! Watch the #WinterOlympics Opening Ceremony Friday and #SBLX Sunday on NBC and Peacock.”
In the clip, which features the American flag heavily throughout, the ‘Nobody’s Girl’ hitmaker skis up to a directional sign and plays up being lost. After removing her helmet, she introduces herself with a wink, joking she’s “nobody” before name-dropping her 2025 track. She then runs through her itinerary: catching the opening ceremony in Milan, meeting Team USA, watching American skaters go for gold (including Lindsey Vonn’s comeback), and wrapping things up stateside for Super Bowl 60.
Canadian fans were not having it. “Girl you’re Canadian,” one person flatly pointed out, while another joked, “Yeah u really are lost.” Someone else quipped, “The very American Tate McRae,” with another adding, “Love you but I think you forgot what team you’re on.”
The criticism got sharper when people brought politics into it. With tensions already high between the U.S. and Canada following Donald Trump‘s recent comments about wanting Canada to become the “51st state,” some fans felt the partnership crossed a line. “No amount of money could make me endorse the country that threatens mine,” one insisted. Another wrote, “Interesting choice to not support Canada. Disappointed.”
As of now, the Calgary native hasn’t addressed the backlash.
Watch the clip:
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