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Tate McRae is speaking out about the backlash surrounding her collaboration with Morgan Wallen.

The 23-year-old pop star reflected on their duet “What I Want” in a new cover interview with W Magazine, released on Tuesday (October 13).

The song became Tate‘s first No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2025. However, the collaboration also sparked criticism from some fans, including speculation about her political views.

“It’s crazy to think that one song could define a whole person,” Tate told W Magazine when asked about the response to their duet.

“There are many aspects of my personality that three-quarters of my audience has no idea about. You hope one day you figure out a way to show all aspects of it,” she continued.

Tate previously addressed speculation that she supports MAGA in an August interview with Variety.

“I like to say my piece through organizations I support and the environment that I have on tour,” she said at the time. “I think it’s pretty obvious what kind of person I am and the things I support.”

You can read more about what Tate previously said about the political speculation.

Tate McRae Also Opens Up About the Pressures of Pop Stardom

Elsewhere in her W Magazine interview, Tate discussed the challenges of being a pop star.

“Being a pop singer is the craziest, most overwhelming experience ever,” she said. “There are just so many ideas that people project onto you. Being a girl is hard enough … It’s a bit of a mindf—.”

She also reflected on her viral Lollapalooza performance, which involved submerging herself in liquid onstage.

“I usually black out onstage, but something comes through me,” she said, adding that the performance required her to stay focused on getting everything right.

The interview comes just days before Tate releases her new single “Housewife” on Thursday (October 15).

If you missed it, check out the cover artwork for Tate‘s upcoming single and find out more about the release.

Read more from Tate‘s interview in W Magazine and see her new cover shoot, photographed by Juergen Teller, at WMagazine.com.

The post Tate McRae Addresses Backlash Over Morgan Wallen Collaboration, Says One Song Shouldn’t Define Her appeared first on Just Jared - Celebrity News, Entertainment News & Photos.