Calgary's own pop sensation, Tate McRae, has expressed her surprise at the significant fan backlash that followed her decision to collaborate with controversial country music star Morgan Wallen. The duo worked together on her single What I Want, released in the spring of 2025, which also featured on Wallen's latest album, I’m the Problem.
A Surprising Reaction to a Genre Cross
In an exclusive cover story for Rolling Stone's January 2026 issue, McRae revealed she was "shocked" by the negative reaction from some fans. Despite the track becoming her first chart-topping hit, the announcement of the duet prompted a wave of criticism on social media, with some followers urging her to cancel the partnership.
The Canadian singer-songwriter explained that her motivation was purely musical. "I wanted to cross genres really bad. It was just about the song for me," McRae told the magazine. She cited her Calgary upbringing and the influence of the city's iconic Stampede as foundational to her long-standing appreciation for country music.
No Regrets Despite Controversy
Interestingly, McRae disclosed that she has still not met Morgan Wallen in person. Despite the controversy surrounding their collaboration, she maintains she has no regrets. "I don't think you should regret anything in life because it gives you so much clarity," she stated, adding that she views criticism as a form of learning.
Wallen's career has been marred by several public incidents. In 2021, he was widely condemned after a video surfaced showing him using a racial slur. More recently, in April 2024, he was arrested for throwing a chair from the rooftop of a Nashville bar, to which he later pleaded guilty to misdemeanor reckless endangerment.
Looking to the Future
McRae hinted that this may not be her last foray into country sounds. "I've always wanted, at some point in my life, to do folk music or country, and I probably still will in the future," she shared. For the young star, the experience with Wallen's collaboration was a lesson in how a musical project can become entangled with an artist's personal history, a factor she admits she did not fully anticipate.
The interview, published on December 19, 2025, provides a candid look at how the 22-year-old artist is navigating the complexities of fame, fan expectations, and artistic growth following her rapid rise to pop stardom.
