Kelly Clarkson had an emotional response to Celine Dion’s performance at the Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony on Friday night.
The 43-year-old talk show host became emotional as she spoke with fellow hosts Peyton Manning and Mike Tirico about the return of Dion, 56, which was her first since she announced her battle with stiff-person syndrome in 2022.
The Canadian singer performed an emotional rendition of Édith Piaf’s Hymne A L’Amour, moving many in attendance to tears.
“I felt inspired. I wasn’t prepared for that ending,” Kelly told her co-hosts before mentioning Celine’s recent health issues. “This is her purpose,” she added through tears before pausing to say she was “trying to stay calm.”
This comes as fans slammed Kelly’s coverage of the Olympics, calling it “horrendous.”
Kelly Clarkson had an emotional response to Celine Dion’s performance at the Paris Olympics opening ceremony on Friday night
The 43-year-old talk show host became emotional as she spoke with fellow hosts Peyton Manning and Mike Tirico about the return of Dion, 56, which was her first since she announced her battle with stiff-person syndrome in 2022.
As Clarkson reflected on Celine’s career, she praised her as “the gold medalist among vocal athletes.”
“It’s amazing,” she added, noting that the entire evening had been “beautiful.”
Olympic Opening Ceremony viewers were left baffled by NBC’s decision to choose Kelly and Peyton as commentators for the major global event.
Rather than hiring a panel of former Olympians or traditional broadcasters for the 2024 Paris Games, the two-time Super Bowl champion and Grammy winner was tapped for the job.
“When I look for a voice-over team to guide me through a unique cultural moment of international celebration, I immediately think of Peyton Manning and Kelly Clarkson,” one person joked on X.
Another chimed in sarcastically: “The good thing about this Olympic opening ceremony is that Peyton Manning and Kelly Clarkson apparently didn’t prepare.”
“Kelly Clarkson girl I love you but you suck at this. Did NO ONE prepare you at NBC?!?” another person wrote online.
Another joked: “Kelly Clarkson is killing it on this opening ceremony broadcast with interesting analysis ranging from ‘this is cool’ to ‘this is SO cool.'”
“I was inspired. I wasn’t prepared for that ending,” Kelly told co-hosts Peyton Manning and Mike Tirico.
“This is her purpose,” she added tearfully of the Canadian singer before pausing to say she was “trying to stay calm.”
Céline made her Olympic debut in 1996
“These opening ceremonies would be more fun if Kelly Clarkson didn’t react to everything that happens like she’s never left her house before,” another viewer added sarcastically.
As for Celine, after eliciting sentimental responses from fans with her performance, she reflected on the iconic moment with a heartfelt message shared on X.
The star wrote: ‘I am honoured to have performed tonight, at the Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony, and overjoyed to be back in one of my favourite cities!’
This comes after the My Heart Will Go On singer made her Olympic debut in 1996.