Fans defend Tate McRae after Grégoire Trudeau criticism

Fans of Calgary-raised pop star Tate McRae are pushing back after Sophie Grégoire Trudeau said she saw “nothing empowering” in the singer’s performance at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.

McRae made her debut at the show Sunday at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City, Calif., performing a medley of “Housewife,” “Dear God” and “Sports Car” in a red lingerie outfit with backup dancers, Rolling Stone Canada reported. It was the first live performance of “Housewife,” released Oct. 16. Megan Thee Stallion, Megan Moroney and KATSEYE also performed.

Grégoire Trudeau, a former television host, author and the former wife of ex-prime minister Justin Trudeau, commented on a Billboard Canada Instagram post about the performance.

“Really? This is what we need to do now to make a mark as an artist?” she wrote, according to Rolling Stone Canada.

“I like her music and she’s talented but I see nothing empowering here; more like falling into the mold of people pleasing,” she added.

Many commenters defended McRae. “It’s a lingerie show. If she’s comfortable and confident who cares,” one Instagram user wrote in a reply quoted by Rolling Stone Canada.

Another commenter turned the criticism back on Grégoire Trudeau: “For someone who talks about empowering women, you sure love to put other women down for no reason,” according to Daily Hive. Others pointed to pop stars such as Katy Perry who have long performed in revealing stage outfits.

Fans also praised McRae’s catwalk during “Sports Car” and a moment during “Housewife” when she walked the runway with model Gigi Hadid, Billboard Canada reported.

McRae, 23, grew up in Calgary and has become one of Canada’s biggest pop exports, with hits including “greedy” and “Sports Car.”

Neither McRae nor her team had publicly responded to Grégoire Trudeau’s comments as of Tuesday. Rolling Stone Canada said it had asked Grégoire Trudeau’s team for comment.