Kelly Clarkson reacted emotionally to Celine Dion’s performance at the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics on Friday night.
The 43-year-old talk show host got a lump in her throat when she spoke to fellow commentators Peyton Manning and Mike Tirico about the 56-year-old Dion’s comeback, her first since announcing in 2022 that she was battling Stiff Person Syndrome.
The Canadian singer delivered a moving version of Édith Piaf’s Hymne A L’Amour, moving many in the audience to tears.
“I’m inspired. I wasn’t ready for that ending,” Kelly told her co-hosts before addressing Celine’s recent health issues. “This is her purpose,” she added through tears before pausing to say she was “trying to keep it together.”
Fans strongly criticized Kelly’s coverage of the Olympics, calling it “appalling.”
Kelly Clarkson reacted emotionally to Celine Dion’s performance at the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics on Friday night
The 43-year-old talk show host was in shock when she spoke to fellow commentators Peyton Manning and Mike Tirico about 56-year-old Dion’s comeback act, her first since announcing in 2022 that she was battling Stiff Person Syndrome.
Clarkson reflected on Celine’s journey and praised her as “the golden winner among vocal athletes.”
“She is absolutely incredible,” she added, noting that the entire evening had been “beautiful.”
Viewers of the Olympic Opening Ceremony were stunned by NBC’s decision to hire Kelly and Peyton as commentators for the major international event.
Rather than hiring a panel of former Olympians or traditional presenters for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, the two-time Super Bowl champion and Grammy winner were tapped to host.
“When I look for a broadcast team to accompany me during a unique cultural moment of international festivities, I immediately think of Peyton Manning and Kelly Clarkson,” someone joked on X.
Another added sarcastically: ‘The great thing about the Olympic opening ceremony is that Peyton Manning and Kelly Clarkson apparently didn’t prepare.’
‘Kelly Clarkson I love you but you are so bad at this. Did NO ONE prepare you at NBC?!?!!’ someone else wrote online.
Another joked: ‘Kelly Clarkson is amazing during the opening ceremony broadcast, with interesting analysis that ranges from ‘this is cool’ to ‘this is SO cool.’
“I’m inspired. I wasn’t ready for that ending,” Kelly told co-hosts Peyton Manning and Mike Tirico
“This is her goal,” she added through tears about the Canadian singer before pausing to say she was “trying to keep it together.”
Celine made her Olympic debut in 1996
“These opening ceremonies would be more fun if Kelly Clarkson didn’t react to everything that happens as if she’s never left her house,” another sarcastic viewer added to the conversation.
Celine responded to her performance with sentimental reactions from fans, looking back on the iconic moment in a heartfelt message she shared on X.
The star wrote: ‘I feel honoured to have performed tonight at the opening ceremony of Paris 2024, and I’m so happy to be back in one of my favourite cities!’
This happened after the My Heart Will Go On singer made her Olympic debut in 1996.
