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Tate McRae Defends Morgan Wallen Collaboration Amid Backlash

12/19/2025

Summary

Story summary

Tate McRae, the pop star, defended her collaboration with Morgan Wallen amid backlash.
In a Rolling Stone interview, McRae said the decision came from love for country music, not Wallen's controversial past, including a racial slur incident in 2021.
She noted that growing up in Calgary, Canada, influenced her desire to cross genres.
McRae said she does not regret the partnership and views the controversy as a learning experience.
Their song "What I Want" became McRae's first chart-topping hit on the Billboard Hot 100.

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Story summary

Tate McRae, the pop star, defended her collaboration with Morgan Wallen amid backlash.
In a Rolling Stone interview, McRae said the decision came from love for country music, not Wallen's controversial past, including a racial slur incident in 2021.
She noted that growing up in Calgary, Canada, influenced her desire to cross genres.
McRae said she does not regret the partnership and views the controversy as a learning experience.
Their song "What I Want" became McRae's first chart-topping hit on the Billboard Hot 100.