Tate McRae Affirms Canadian Identity Amidst Olympic Ad Controversy
Tate McRae has shown her support for her home country of Canada amidst criticism she faced for appearing in an ad promoting the Milan Cortina Olympics featuring Team USA athletes. The Canadian pop star stars in a commercial promoting TV coverage on NBC and Peacock during the opening ceremony and Super Bowl LX. In the ad, McRae seeks directions on the slopes from an owl, expressing her excitement for the Olympics and the Super Bowl.
Despite the seemingly innocent ad, some Canadians questioned why McRae was promoting American athletes instead of Canadian ones. In response to the backlash, McRae shared a childhood photo on Instagram holding a Canadian flag, affirming her Canadian roots. Born in Calgary, Alberta, on Canada Day, McRae's loyalty to her home country is now clear.
With McRae's allegiance to Canada confirmed, the Winter Olympics can proceed smoothly. Canada has strong contenders for gold, such as William Dandjinou in short track speed skating and its hockey teams. While the controversy surrounding the ad may have subsided, it could resurface if Canada faces off against the United States in competition or if the owl in the commercial sparks further debate.