Kelly Clarkson had an emotional response to Celine Dion‘s Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony performance on Friday night.
The 43-year-old talk show host got choked up while speaking with fellow announcers Peyton Manning and Mike Tirico about 56-year-old Dion’s comeback act — which was her first since announcing her battle with Stiff Person Syndrome in 2022.
The Canadian songstress delivered a stirring rendition of Édith Piaf’s Hymne A L’Amour, moving many who witnessed it to tears.
‘I’ve been inspired. I was not ready for that ending,’ Kelly told her co-hosts before mentioning Celine’s recent health struggles. ‘This is her purpose,’ she tearfully added before she paused to say she was ‘trying to hold it together.’
It comes as fans slammed Kelly’s coverage of the Olympic games, labeling it ‘horrendous.’
Kelly Clarkson had an emotional response to Celine Dion ‘s Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony performance on Friday night
The 43-year-old talk show host got choked up while speaking with fellow announcers Peyton Manning and Mike Tirico about 56-year-old Dion’s comeback act, which was her first since announcing her battle with Stiff Person Syndrome in 2022
As Clarkson reflected on Celine’s journey, she lauded her as ‘the gold winner for vocal athletes.’
‘Like, she’s incredible,’ she added, noting that the whole night had been ‘beautiful.’
Olympic Opening Ceremony viewers were left puzzled over NBC’s decision to tap Kelly and Peyton as commentators for the major global event.
Rather than hiring a panel of former Olympians or traditional broadcasters at the 2024 Paris Games, the two-time Super Bowl champ and the Grammy-winning were called upon for the gig.
‘When I’m looking for a broadcasting 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 sarcastically chimed in, ‘The cool thing about this Olympic opening ceremony is how Peyton Manning and Kelly Clarkson apparently did no preparation.’
‘Kelly Clarkson girl I love you but you are so bad at this – did NO ONE prep you at NBC?!?!!’ someone else wrote online.
Another joked, ‘Kelly Clarkson is killing it on this opening ceremony broadcast with interesting analysis that ranges from “this is cool” to “this is SO cool.”‘
‘I’ve been inspired. I was not ready for that ending,’ Kelly told co-hosts Peyton Manning and Mike Tirico
‘This is her purpose,’ she tearfully added about the Canadian songstress before she paused to say she was ‘trying to hold 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’s happened like she’s never left her house before,’ another snarky viewer contributed to the discourse.
As for Celine, after prompting sentimental responses from fans with her performance, she reflected on the iconic moment with a heartfelt message shared on X.
The star wrote: ‘I’m honored to have performed tonight, for the Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony, and so full of joy to be back in one of my very favorite cities!’
It comes after the My Heart Will Go On singer made her Olympic debut in 1996.