Kelly Clarkson and Peyton Manning Gear Up for a Memorable Olympic Opening Ceremony

In an exciting announcement, Kelly Clarkson joined NFL legend Peyton Manning and NBC Olympics host Mike Tirico on TODAY to discuss their roles in the upcoming Paris Olympics opening ceremony.

The ceremony is scheduled to begin later today at 10:30 a.m. PT/1:30 p.m. ET, and this trio is set to host the big event for NBC.

During their chat with Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie, Tirico revealed that while they’ve seen some sneak peeks, there’s still a mystery surrounding the full event. “Kind of,” he said when asked if they know what’s coming. “We’ve seen stand-ins,” Clarkson added, explaining that due to the unique setup this year, there won’t be a traditional dress rehearsal.

This year’s opening ceremony will feature athletes parading along the Seine River, rather than entering a stadium. Manning shared his excitement, mentioning that they’ve seen empty boats on the river in preparation for the grand event. “Tonight we’ll see 10,000 athletes on the boats,” he said, adding there will be plenty of heartfelt moments. “There’ll be some tears, there’ll be some dancing. I’m looking forward to watching these athletes today.”

Because there won’t be a full dress rehearsal, Clarkson noted that the athletes might feel some pressure. However, she’s confident that the ceremony will resonate with viewers. “It’s beautiful. I can’t imagine people won’t be crying. It’s a beautiful thing,” she said with enthusiasm.

NBC is kicking off its Olympics coverage with a preview show at 9 a.m. PT/12 p.m. ET. Fans can catch the opening ceremony via NBC, Peacock, and the NBC Olympic apps, making it easy for everyone to join in on the excitement of the Paris Olympics.