Canadian pop artist Tate McRae recently appeared in an NBC advertisement promoting the Milan-Cortina Olympics, voicing her support for Team USA. Born in Calgary, Alberta in 2003, she grew up in Canada but has developed her music career primarily in the United States.
In the ad, she engages with an owl, asking for directions to Milan.
McRae conveyed her eagerness to cheer on American athletes, including Lindsey Vonn, while wrapping up her segment with a shout-out to Super Bowl LX.
She says, “I’m about to go to Milan for a great opening ceremony and meet Team USA. I’ll be with some of America’s top skaters, striving for gold and witnessing Lindsey Vonn’s epic comeback. After that, it’s back to America for the Super Bowl.”
This endorsement led to a backlash from some Canadians online.
One commenter referenced Donald Trump’s old suggestion about making Canada the 51st state, expressing their discontent: “Every year, I justify my dislike for her. Seriously, promoting the US team when they once threatened to annex Canada? That’s just… traitorous,” they wrote.
Another user pointed out, “With everything said about Canada by American officials, seeing a Canadian woman supporting Team USA is just embarrassing, right? A paycheck is a paycheck?”
Conversely, some individuals from both Canada and the U.S. have come to McRae’s defense amid the criticism.
One person remarked, “The backlash is just woke Canadians calling her a traitor. McRae is a model immigrant. This is part of what assimilation looks like. Let’s leave the anti-American sentiments behind.”
Another added, “Cheering for America is probably the most ‘Albertan’ thing she could do.”
Historically, tensions between the U.S. and Canada have heightened since the last Winter Olympics, primarily due to Trump’s talk of annexation and imposed tariffs on Canadian imports last year.
This year’s Olympics may see fans from both nations react strongly to each other’s national anthems or encounter intense rivalry during games, reminiscent of a recent four-nation NHL event.
The U.S. women’s hockey team has stated they’re prepared for physical confrontations with Canadian players if the situation arises. Caroline Harvey mentioned, “It’s expected, especially when facing Canada. They tend not to like us, and that just fuels our determination.”
She added a personal touch, saying, “They are a respected rival. When it gets heated, it can feel very personal.”
On a lighter note, veteran teammate Kendall Coyne Schofield, a self-described “lover, not a fighter,” emphasized she would defend her teammates if necessary. “If it comes down to it, I’ll step in. But I’m not one to start fights,” she shared.
In light of the upcoming skeleton events, many Americans are frustrated over the absence of five-time Olympian Katie Uhlaender, especially after accusations of cheating by the Canadian team during the Olympic trials last month. Uhlaender didn’t accumulate enough points to qualify for this year’s Winter Olympics.
