Kelly Clarkson is widely recognized as one of the most respected figures in pop culture today.
Since winning the inaugural season of American Idol, she has enjoyed a stellar music career and become a beloved talk show host.
When NBC announced that Clarkson would co-host the Opening Ceremonies of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris alongside Mike Tirico and NFL legend Peyton Manning, expectations were high. However, early in the broadcast, fans took to social media to express their disappointment, labeling Clarkson’s performance as “cringeworthy.”
Hosting such a major live event is no easy task, especially for someone new to this type of work. There are no real rehearsals that can fully prepare a host for the spontaneity required during live broadcasts. Unfortunately, Clarkson has struggled to find her rhythm, often interjecting at seemingly random moments without contributing much to the commentary.
Critics online have been quick to voice their concerns. Comments have ranged from gentle disappointment to harsh critiques, with many hoping that Clarkson would improve as the ceremony progressed.
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“Doing this sort of work is not an easy job. There’s no real rehearsal for something like this if it’s your first time, and it’s a lot of thinking on your feet,” noted one observer. “She’s not doing well at it, interjecting at seemingly random times with very little productive to say.”
Fans are hoping Clarkson can settle into her role and enhance the viewing experience rather than detract from it. As one user put it, “Hopefully she gets better as the Opening Ceremonies go along because she’s ruining it for a lot of people right now.”
Despite the rocky start, there is still plenty of time for Clarkson to find her footing. The Summer Olympics runs until August 11, giving her ample opportunity to adjust and improve her performance. Given her track record of success and resilience, many are optimistic that she will rise to the occasion and deliver the engaging, dynamic commentary fans had anticipated.
