Tate McRae's latest sponsored TikTok has gone viral for all the wrong reasons after viewers accused the pop star of pretending to use Neutrogena skincare products while keeping her makeup almost completely untouched. Instead of praising her post show routine, fans filled the comments with jokes, questioning whether she was more interested in protecting her glam than actually demonstrating the products.
The video, filmed aboard what appeared to be a private jet, was created in partnership with Neutrogena and showcased makeup remover wipes, Hydro Boost moisturiser and under-eye patches. However, eagle-eyed viewers quickly spotted what they believed were several giveaway moments, turning a simple beauty advert into one of social media's most talked about celebrity promos this week.
Sponsored Video Sparks Questions
The TikTok begins with McRae sitting comfortably on the plane while introducing her post show skincare routine. She first reaches for a Neutrogena makeup remover wipe and gently swipes it across her face, supposedly removing her eye makeup after a performance.
@tatemcrae On route to Chicago @Neutrogena Sponsored
♬ LTTL - Miya Folick & Chrome Sparks
Fans were quick to point out that her eyeliner and the rest of her makeup appeared almost exactly the same afterwards. Many claimed they could not spot any makeup transferring onto the wipe, making the demonstration look less convincing than expected.
Fans Zoomed in on Every Step
The scrutiny only grew when McRae moved on to applying Neutrogena's Hydro Boost moisturiser. Viewers watched the clip frame by frame and argued they could barely see any product on her fingertips before she lightly touched her cheeks.
The under-eye patches appeared to be the only item clearly placed on her skin. Even then, several viewers noted she still seemed to be wearing a full face of makeup underneath, leading some to question whether the routine reflected genuine skincare at all.
Fans Fill the Comments
It did not take long for TikTok users to flood the comments with playful criticism. One person wrote, 'I can't tell if she hates the products or just doesn't want to actually take her makeup off on camera.'
Another joked, 'The skincare equivalent of the McDonald's CEO trying to eat that burger. She looks like she's afraid of it touching her skin.' Others pointed out that her eye makeup looked almost untouched, while one viewer commented, 'Mama your eye makeup is still on.' Another added, 'Huh, maybe the make up thing. Either way she is getting roasted. If she at least wet her face on her private jet it would have been a little better.'
Neutrogena Also Came Under Fire
The criticism was not directed at McRae alone. Some viewers questioned why Neutrogena approved the advertisement in the first place, suggesting the finished video did little to show the products actually being used.
Comments such as 'I can't believe Neutrogena approved this' and 'Neutrogena shouldn't even pay you for this one' quickly gained attention. Others joked that the singer seemed to be 'playing in Neutrogena's face', while many laughed at what they called a very obvious attempt to protect professional makeup during a sponsored campaign.
Millie Bobby Brown Comparisons
The situation also reminded many social media users of Millie Bobby Brown's widely discussed skincare controversy from several years ago. Brown later admitted she had not genuinely used every step in a promotional video for her own Florence by Mills skincare line, making the comparison difficult for many viewers to ignore.
Although there is no confirmation that McRae deliberately avoided using the Neutrogena products, the side by side comparison shared online has only fuelled further conversation. Many viewers insisted her makeup looked almost identical from the beginning of the routine until the very end.
Video Keeps Going Viral
As the clip continues circulating across TikTok and other platforms, it has become another reminder that social media users pay close attention to sponsored content. Beauty campaigns often receive even greater scrutiny because viewers expect products to be shown being used in a realistic and believable way.
Whether the routine was genuine or simply appeared less convincing on camera, the response has been overwhelmingly focused on one detail. For many viewers, McRae's flawless glam survived her entire skincare routine, and that ended up becoming the real story behind the viral video.
