Kelly Clarkson Nailed Her Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Performance
Kelly Clarkson performed at the grand American spectacle that is the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thursday, and it’s safe to say she absolutely nailed the performance. The American Idol alum withstood cold that dipped below 20 degrees to bowl over her fans with a live vocal performance during the parade—something that’s pretty unheard of given the floats’ usual technical capabilities and the freezing weather that puts even the most talented voices on edge.
Instead of keeping it chilled out with some pre-recorded vocals—as most artists understandably do (more on that later)—Clarkson went straight-up live, with a full set featuring a complete stage, backup band, and a fiery performance of “Heat,” from her Meaning of Life album. And not that we would expect anything less, but it was hands-down incredible.
Check it out:
It’s safe to say fans were in awe after her performance: “Kelly Clarkson is actually performing live (and not to track like everyone else is basically forced to do) at the #MacysParade when will ur fave ever,” one person wrote.
“I just need to say, Kelly Clarkson is freaking amazing. Live performance outside in 19° weather, and she was flawless. ? #MacysParade #HappyThanksgiving,” another wrote.
“It is 19° in NYC and Kelly Clarkson is singing live! She is the only thing I’m thankful for this year. #MacysDayParade,” another tweeted.
Others pointed out that Clarkson was the only one singing live: “No one else is singing live for the Macy’s parade except Kelly Clarkson, actual queen.”
https://twitter.com/fangirltherapy/status/1065631008656105473
Others called for more Clarkson, please. “Replace the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade with an annual multi-hour Kelly Clarkson concert spectacular,” one wrote.
One user also pointed out something a little ironic about Clarkson’s stoic performance: “I’m dying at the irony of @kelly_clarkson performing Heat in that intense cold at the #MacysParade,” they tweeted.
And yes, Clarkson was very much aware: “The irony wasn’t lost on us either ?,” she responded.
https://twitter.com/kelly_clarkson/status/1065656708205346818
It should be pointed out that while Rita Ora caught a lot of flak for lip-syncing during the parade, not singing live is in fact the norm. Clarkson is very much the exception to the rule and was reportedly on a specially designed float, as a certain John Legend cleared up: “Fun fact. We all have to lip sync on this parade because the floats don’t have the capacity to handle the sound requirements for a live performance,” he tweeted after his own lip-synced performance. “Hope y’all enjoyed it anyway. Know that if you come to my shows, the vocals are 100% live!”
Clarkson also tweeted an adorable thank you after the show: “So my toes finally have feeling back in them ? that was a very cold Thanksgiving moment! I’ve been beggin’ the Lord for winter, and well, he answered,” she wrote. “#MacysDayParade thanks for having us! So thankful and appreciative for all the blessings in my life! Y’all have a good one! ?.”
https://twitter.com/kelly_clarkson/status/1065641993185972225
If you already had your list prepared to share around the table of what you were thankful for at dinner, well, now you have one more thing to add to it. Happy Thanksgiving, one and all—and especially Kelly Clarkson.
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