Kelly Clarkson turned a miserable night in her Las Vegas hotel into an extended comedy routine during the latest performance of her Studio Sessions residency.
Speaking to the audience at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace on Saturday, July 18, the singer said she began experiencing stomach trouble during the previous night’s concert. Her symptoms intensified after she returned to her room.
Clarkson wondered aloud whether she had contracted cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis. She struggled to remember its name and instead referred to the illness associated with eating contaminated lettuce.
The Trouble Began During Her Friday Show
Clarkson began the story by warning the audience that she was about to share too much information. “I don’t know if I got that thing that people, like, eat lettuce,” she said, according to Entertainment Weekly. “I don’t know what the f—. But last night during the show, I was like, ‘Oh my God. Jesus.’”
Clarkson compared the experience with the memorable food-poisoning sequence in Bridesmaids, in which several characters become sick while shopping for dresses. “Bridesmaids ain’t got s— on what happened in my room,” she said. “And you know the part where you think it’s over? You’re like, ‘It has to be over.’ No, girl!”
She Wondered Whether She Had the ‘Lettuce’ Parasite
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Clarkson appeared to be referring to cyclosporiasis, which can cause watery diarrhea, fatigue and loss of appetite. Symptoms generally begin several days after infection and can continue for weeks without treatment.
At the time of her comments, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was investigating an outbreak linked to recalled shredded iceberg lettuce. The agency was also tracking other cases that were not connected to that outbreak.
Clarkson did not identify what she had eaten before becoming ill. She also did not say whether she contacted a doctor or underwent the specialized testing required to confirm a Cyclospora infection.
The Hotel’s Heated Toilet Became the Punchline
Clarkson said the experience made her particularly grateful that she had been alone in the room. “I have never been so happy there is not a man in the room, ’cause he for sure would never make sweet love to this again,” she joked.
She found one consolation in the bathroom itself. “You know what’s awesome? They have, like, warm toilets for you here,” Clarkson told the crowd. “I’m gonna be single until I’m dead,” she said. “It’s fine. I’m gonna find another weird motherf—er out there.”
Clarkson Recovered in Time for the Next Concert
Despite the difficult night, Clarkson assured the July 18 audience that her symptoms had subsided and the concert proceeded without a reported interruption. “I hope tonight is not like that,” she said. “It’s not. I feel fine, thank you.”
The current run of Studio Sessions began July 17 and is scheduled to continue at The Colosseum through Aug. 15.