Canadian pop star Tate McRae is currently at the center of a social media firestorm following her appearance in a new NBC commercial promoting the 2026 Winter Olympics.

The Calgary-born singer, who has long leaned into her Canadian roots with hockey-themed branding, shocked fans by appearing in a high-budget ad where she explicitly cheers for the United States.

In the commercial, McRae is seen on a snowy mountain talking to a CGI owl about her travel plan. She tells the bird, “I’m trying to get to Milan for an amazing opening ceremony and meet Team USA.”

She continues by hyping up American athletes, saying, “Then it’s the weekend with America’s best skating for gold and Lindsey Vonn’s epic comeback. Then back to the States for the big game: Super Bowl LX.”

The backlash was immediate. Disappointed fans across social media quickly dubbed her “Traitor McRae,” while a Quebec radio station referred to her as “Traître McRae.”

One viral comment from actor Jack Innanen captured the national mood, stating, “That is some traitor s**t I just saw, big bro. That is a crazy time to go and support the United States in place of Canada on an international stage.”

Attempting to calm the waters, the 22-year-old posted a childhood photo of herself holding a Canadian flag with the caption: “y’all know I’m Canada down.”

Despite her plea, many fans remain cold with one Instagram user bluntly replying, “Feel free to return your Canadian passport.”