Canadian country star Josh Ross apologizes for calling the U.S. the ‘best country’ in the world
'I'm as proud of establishing myself in the U.S. as I am being Canadian'
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Canadian country singer Josh Ross is offering up an apology after catching social media heat for declaring his love for America at a recent show in Indiana.
Ross, who is slated to perform during Canada Day celebrations in Ottawa, went viral after he waved an American flag during his set at the Tailgate N’ Tallboys festival last month.
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Canadian country star Josh Ross apologizes for calling the U.S. the ‘best country’ in the world Back to video
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“I’m Canadian, but you want to know fun fact? I moved to the best country in the world and I love it very much,” the Juno winner said as the crowd in Bloomington broke out into chants of “U.S.A! U.S.A!”
After the Trouble hitmaker caught flak for his declaration he was forced to explain himself telling his followers he was “sorry to anybody who was offended by what I said.”
“I’m grateful I get to tour all over the world. I feel like I’m always representing Canada no matter where I go,” Ross said in his response, which he recorded from his car in Nashville and posted to TikTok. “Born and raised in Canada, but I’ve been living in Nashville for the last five plus years. Half my family lives in Canada, the other half is here in the U.S., and I’m as proud of establishing myself in the U.S. as I am being Canadian.”
The Waterdown, Ont., native said, “both sides were not communicated in the clip you guys are seeing and I’m sorry that that wasn’t clear.”
Despite his apology, the Canadian Country Music Award winner’s excuse wasn’t accepted by many viewers. “The fact that you first brought up Canada, then said the U.S. is the best (is) an insult and disrespectful,” one person commented. “Apology not accepted.”
“As a fan of yours before you even moved to the States, I’m ticked!” another added. “You’re a traitor. There’s a ton of Canadian artists that live and perform in the States, but none of them would say anything this douchy. Good luck at your Canada Day performance.”
“Canadian taxpayers are paying Josh Ross to perform in Ottawa on Canada Day for broadcast across the country on
@CBC,” a third person swiped, tagging Steven Guilbeault, the federal minister of identity and culture.
“I am sure that Mike Myers feels the same way. They just come to Canada once in a while to get a medal or get paid for a fake campaign,” a fourth person wrote dismissively.
But Ross wasn’t without his supporters. “I hate to say it, I’m Canadian and I’m starting to feel that way also! Canada was so great 15 years ago! How can people fall for it?” one fan asked.
“He’s happy with his new home, nothing wrong with that,” another backer wrote.
Ross won best country album of the year for his debut album Complicated at this year’s Junos. When accepting the award, he said he was “proud to be Canadian,” but urged viewers to avoid getting into an economic battle with the U.S. amid President Donald Trump’s calls for his birth country to become a 51st state.
“I think it’s time that we get back to our Canadian roots and remember that friends are better than enemies,” said Ross, who recently released Drunk Right Now (Na Na Na) with Akon.
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