• Tate McRae says she remains proudly Canadian after criticism over an NBC promo.
  • She posted a childhood photo holding a Canadian flag and wrote, “I’m Canada down.”
  • The promo featured McRae promoting Team USA at the Milan Cortina Olympics and used her song “Nobody’s Girl.”
  • McRae, born in Calgary, has lived in Los Angeles since 2021 but publicly affirms her Canadian roots.

H2: Tate McRae addresses backlash over NBC Team USA ad

Tate McRae responded swiftly after viewers questioned her appearance in an NBC promo that highlighted Team USA ahead of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.

On Instagram, McRae posted a photo of herself as a child holding a small Canadian flag and captioned the post, “y’all know I’m Canada down.” The message came a day after NBC aired a spot in which the Calgary-born singer — now an international pop star — promotes the U.S. Olympic coverage.

Embedded posts:

  • Childhood photo (shared via X): https://x.com/MadelnCanada/status/2019208067305599465
  • NBC promo Instagram reel: https://www.instagram.com/reels/DUUF4uKDcbl/

H3: What was in the NBC promo?

In the commercial, McRae appears speaking to a snowy owl, saying she’s trying to get to Milan for the opening ceremony and to “meet Team USA.” The spot also plugs NBC’s weekend Olympic coverage and other U.S. sports events — including a nod to Super Bowl 60 — while featuring the music from McRae’s single “Nobody’s Girl.”

H3: Why fans reacted

Some viewers took issue with a prominent Canadian artist fronting a Team USA promo during Olympic coverage. The reaction prompted McRae’s quick clarification on social media, where she reiterated her Canadian identity.

H2: Background — McRae’s career and ties to Canada

Born and raised in Calgary, Alberta, McRae rose to fame after appearing on So You Think You Can Dance in 2016. She later released hits including “You Broke Me First” and “Too Young To Be Sad,” and earned a Grammy nomination for “Just Keep Watching.”

McRae moved to Los Angeles in 2021 and has spent considerable time in the United States since then. In past interviews she’s acknowledged feeling more at home in L.A. while still acknowledging her Canadian roots.

H4: Not the first international cameo for NBC

McRae isn’t the first non-American entertainer to appear in NBC Olympic promotional material. The network previously ran a spot featuring U.K. pop star Dua Lipa promoting Team USA female athletes.

H5: What this means going forward

McRae’s quick social reply appears to have calmed some critics by reaffirming her national identity. The exchange highlights how global artists who work across borders can still face scrutiny when national pride is involved — especially around international events like the Olympics.

For now, McRae continues her global music career while engaging with fans online; her brief Instagram response keeps the focus on her roots and her music rather than the controversy itself.

Image Referance: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7022987/2026/02/05/tate-mcrae-olympics-backlash-promoting-team-usa/