For Tate McRae, the internet’s questions weren’t about her music this week. They were about her passport.
The 22-year-old pop star found herself at the centre of an unexpected online debate after appearing in a promotional ad for NBC’s coverage of the 2026 Winter Olympics. The commercial, which spotlights Team USA athletes, quickly raised eyebrows among some fans who wondered why a Canadian-born artist was cheering on America.
As the conversation grew louder, McRae chose a familiar, personal way to respond.
A quick reminder of where she comes from
On Feb. 4, McRae posted a childhood photo to her Instagram Stories. In it, she’s holding a small Canadian flag, smiling in a way that felt more scrapbook than statement.
Her caption was brief and playful, but clear: she’s still Canadian.
The post appeared to be aimed directly at fans who felt stung by her presence in an American Olympic promotion, especially one that made no reference to Canada or its athletes.
Inside the NBC Olympics ad
The commercial itself is light and surreal. McRae appears in a red snowsuit on skis, stopping mid-slope to ask a computer-generated snowy owl for directions.
She introduces herself by name, slips in a nod to her hit song “Nobody’s Girl,” and then talks through NBC’s upcoming sports lineup. That includes the Winter Games in Milan, Team USA athletes, and a slate of high-profile American sporting events.
What’s notably absent is any mention of Canada’s Olympic team or Canadian competitors—an omission that didn’t go unnoticed.
Mixed reactions from fans
Online responses were divided almost immediately.
Some Canadian viewers said the ad felt like a misstep, particularly given the strong national pride tied to winter sports. Others brushed off the controversy, praising the commercial’s creativity and McRae’s growing international presence.
The divide highlighted a familiar tension for global artists who work across borders, especially when sports and national identity overlap.
A Canadian star on a global stage
McRae was born and raised in Calgary, a city with deep winter sports roots. She’s long spoken openly about her Canadian upbringing, and even her birthday—July 1—falls on Canada Day.
As her career has expanded beyond national lines, so has her audience. With that growth comes moments like this one, where commercial partnerships intersect with personal identity.
Why the moment resonated
The reaction to McRae’s ad isn’t really about a single commercial.
It’s about how fans see themselves reflected in the public figures they support—and how easily those reflections can feel disrupted. For Canadian viewers especially, winter sports carry emotional weight that goes beyond entertainment.
McRae’s response, grounded in a childhood photo and a quiet reminder of her roots, suggested she understands that connection. Sometimes, reassurance doesn’t need a press release—just a memory.
