Kelly Clarkson is seemingly living her best life right now. She is looking slimmer and more stylish than ever, and her talk show seems to be going from strength to strength. However, not everything in the 42-year-old former American Idol winner’s career is as well-received as her talk show and her music, as she has come under fire following her coverage of the Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony which took place on Friday, July 26th.
The “Since U Been Gone” hitmaker hosted NBC’s coverage of the opening ceremony alongside sportscaster Mike Tirico and NFL legend Peyton Manning – and videos of her coverage have gone viral for all the wrong reasons. Keep reading for more information.
Mike Tirico, Kelly Clarkson and Peyton Manning kick it off from Paris!
#ParisOlympics Opening Ceremony on NBC and Peacock pic.twitter.com/6ufzfbNtf7
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) July 26, 2024
Kelly Clarkson Slammed For Olympic Games Opening Ceremony Coverage
The mom-of-two and her co-hosts were slammed online for their commentary – which took place inside one of NBC’s on-site studios – as many fans thought it lacked “substance” and knowledge about the Olympic Games.
Many viewers took to social media to say they thought the “Stronger” singer and her co-hosts were extremely underprepared for their coverage of the Paris Olympics, and went on to say that their commentary missed key cultural and historical references that are integral to appreciating the significance of the Olympics.
Internet Reactions
"The commentary was annoying, disruptive, and offered very little substance. What a disappointing way to watch such an innovative event," wrote one user on X.
"The cool thing about this Olympic opening ceremony is how Peyton Manning and Kelly Clarkson apparently did no preparation," quipped a second X user, as a third wrote: "I don't know how to say this without being mean…Kelly Clarkson and Peyton Manning are absolutely horrendous on this #Paris2024 opening ceremony broadcast. NBC should be ashamed giving them these jobs and not to former Olympic athletes, Parisian historians, or real journalists."
"Completely agree," replied one user, adding: "Unprepared. No context to the history, landmarks, symbolism. Just dumb casting." "What were they thinking? Hiring Kelly Clarkson and Peyton Manning was a horrible choice," slammed another, adding: "KC is very talented and a nice person but both of them are not articulate at all!" Another said: "They are embarrassing."
Other people did come to the "Mine" singer's defense, and thought NBC should take the blame for her lack of preparation. "Why did no one prep her on sports commentating & Olympic facts?" asked one fan on X. "Now she's getting dragged on the internet. She's still a queen though regardless of the hate," they added.
"Kelly Clarkson talks a lot but she's also one of the most unproblematic celebrities, supports many other artists and she's talented as hell. Let her live," wrote another fan, as someone else said: "I appreciate her joy." "There's nothing wrong with her. She's just magical and unthinking," wrote another.
"I have seen too much Kelly Clarkson slander on the internet tonight," another Kelly fan wrote. "She is literally one of the hosts for the opening ceremony," they continued, adding: "The definition of that job is to talk about what she's seeing. She has cheered on every athlete and performer. What are you expecting?"
