Kelly Clarkson Hosts Olympics Opening Ceremony
on Jul 26, 2024
Kelly Clarkson, Peyton Manning, and Mike Tirico hosted the Opening Ceremony for the 2024 Olympics on Friday (July 26).
The news was first announced in March 2024 when the unlikely trio made an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Even Fallon was confused as to why the three of them were on his show together!
Turns out an American Idol, an NFL quarterback, and a sportscaster make for the perfect team to host to Olympics Opening Ceremony!
Following their Tonight Show Appearance, Manning and Tirico stopped by Clarkson’s Emmy Award-winning talk show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, to talk a little bit more about their upcoming hosting duties. Manning even brought out the olympic torch to show off to the audience!
Over the past four months, the trio have been preparing for their big moment in Paris.
The opening ceremony took place along the Seine River, with the iconic Eiffel Tower in view. The trio shared a sneak peak at what viewers could expect on Wednesday (July 24) when the Facebook account NBC Olympics & Paralympics shared a photo of their rehearsals.
To kick off the opening ceremony, host country France raised their flag and had their national anthem performed. Next came the Parade of Nations, where athletes representing over 200 countries made their ceremonial entrance. Normally, they walk into an arena or stadium on foot, but because of the location of the ceremony, which has never been held outside a stadium before, athletes will be participating in the parade by boat along the Seine River.
Along the four miles the athletes traveled on boat, they passed many historic landmarks such as the Louvre and the Notre-Dame de Paris. The olympic torch was lit at the end of the route.
Performers included Celine Dion, who made her triumphant return to the stage since being diagnosed with the incredibly rare disease Stiff Person Syndrome, and Lady Gaga.
Watch some coverage from Clarkson, Tirico, and manning below!
