Josh Ross Sparks Controversy With Pro-USA Comments, Drawing Outrage From Canadian Fans

Josh Ross is speaking out after receiving backlash online sparked by comments he made during a recent performance.

On June 13, the Ontario, Canada native stepped on stage for a mid-day performance at the Tailgate N’ Tallboys festival in Bloomington, Illinois. In the midst of his set, Ross waved an American flag while sharing his pride for the United States. However, the way he addressed the subject seemed to have struck a nerve with his Canadian fanbase.

“Fun fact real quick, I’m Canadian. You want to know the best fun fact? I moved to the best f**king country in the world and I love America,” he shouted.

Ross then started a massive “USA” chant before throwing the red, white and blue flag into the crowd. The video footage from this moment was captured by several fans and is now driving negative comments as it circulates social media.

@amamabear324 #USA #America #Americanflag #joshross #tailgateandtallboysbloomington #tailgateandtallboys2025 @Angela ♠️⚡️ ♬ original sound – Amber Nicole 💜⚡️

Several Canadian users responded with harsh messages in the comment section such as “Keep Him” and “you can have him lol we don’t want him.”

Others accused him of “dissing” his home country and found it “disappointing” because as one user wrote, “Canadians supported from the beginning and were proud to have you represent our flag.”

Ross Shares Apologetic Message To Fans

Seeing the upset he caused online, the country act took to his own TikTok page to clarify his intentions and also extend an apology to all those who may have taken offense to his message.

“Hey guys, I just wanted to jump on here and address the clip that’s been going around from my performance at Tailgate N’ Tallboys,” he said in the self-taped footage captured from inside a car. “I’m sorry to anybody who’s offended by what I said. I’m grateful I get to tour all over the world and I feel like I’m always representing Canada no matter where I go.”

@joshrossmusic

🇨🇦🇺🇸

♬ original sound – Josh Ross

The “Leave Me Too” singer went on to explain that while he was born and raised in Canada and is very proud of where he came from, he has been a Nashville resident for over five years now. Having ties in both countries, Ross considers himself lucky to call both places home and wants fans to know his support for one doesn’t diminish his love for the other.

“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.”

He concluded the message by assuring fans that, “Both sides were not communicated in the clip that you guys were seeing, and I’m sorry that that wasn’t clear. So yeah, I hope y’all have a good one.”

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A post shared by JOSH ROSS (@joshrossmusic)

Josh Ross 2025 Tour Dates

Josh Ross is currently performing at various fairs and festivals throughout the summer, including Windy City Smokeout, Country Jam USA, Cheyenne Frontier Days and more. Beginning October 2, he will join Dylan Scott as a supporting act on the fall Easy Does It Tour.

Just a few days following his Tailgate N’ Tallboys appearance, Ross teamed up with global hitmaker Akon to release the official music video for new collaboration, “Drunk Right Now (NA NA NA).” Since the genre-bending rendition of the hit party anthem dropped, it has racked up millions of streams and served as the inspiration behind viral dance clips on TikTok.

Meanwhile, he continues to dominate country radio with his current Top 10 and climbing single, “Single Again”