Kelly Clarkson left little to the imagination while telling her Las Vegas audience about a brutal hotel bathroom experience. The singer wondered aloud whether she had contracted cyclosporiasis, a foodborne parasitic illness that has reportedly affected nearly 7,000 people nationwide. However, Clarkson did not say she had been tested or diagnosed with the illness. She instead turned the unpleasant ordeal into a story filled with jokes about “Bridesmaids,” heated toilets, and her future dating prospects.
Clarkson recounted the incident during a recent Studio Sessions residency show at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. “This is TMI, but I’m gonna go ahead and say it,” Clarkson began, according to fan videos shared on social media. “I don’t know if I got that thing, that, you know, like, people eat lettuce. Sh-t, I don’t know what. I don’t know what the f-ck… But last night during the show, I was like, ‘Oh my God. Jesus.’”
The “Stronger” singer appeared to be referencing cyclosporiasis amid reports of rising cases across the country. Clarkson did not confirm what she had eaten before becoming ill or whether she sought medical attention. Her remarks therefore should not be interpreted as confirmation that the parasite caused her symptoms.
The Singer Compares Her Ordeal To ‘Bridesmaids’
Clarkson said the situation intensified after she returned to her hotel room following the show. “I get back to my room, and 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,” the Grammy winner joked.
She then compared the incident to the memorable food-poisoning sequence in the comedy “Bridesmaids.” “Bridesmaids ain’t got sh-t on what happened in my room. I was like, ‘Oh, Lord.’ And you know the part where you think it’s over. You’re like, ‘It has to be over.’ No, girl!”
Clarkson found at least one benefit hidden within the uncomfortable experience: the amenities provided inside her Las Vegas hotel bathroom. “But you know what’s awesome? They have, like, warm toilets for you here,” she told the crowd.
Kelly Clarkson Jokes About Her Dating Future
The singer also connected her embarrassing hotel experience to her relationship status. “Oh, I’m gonna be single until I’m dead. It’s fine. I’m gonna find another weird motherf-cker out there,” Clarkson said, who got divorced from the late Brandon Blackstock in 2022.
After revealing more than she originally intended, Clarkson struggled to find a smooth way to transition back into her residency performance. “But all that to say… there’s no segue from that,” she admitted. “I hope tonight is not like that. It’s not. I feel fine, thank you.”
Cyclosporiasis Cases Are Rising Across The Country
Nearly 7,000 cases of cyclosporiasis had reportedly been recorded nationwide as of last week. The source of the contamination had not been identified, although raw produce such as lettuce was being considered as a possible link.
Despite the uncertainty, Dr. Sohaib Imtiaz, Chief Medical Officer at People Inc., said health officials were not advising Americans to eliminate fruits and vegetables from their diets. “The good news is that health officials are not recommending people stop eating fruits and vegetables,” Imtiaz told PEOPLE. “Fresh produce remains an important part of a healthy diet.”
The doctor did, however, recommend that consumers take additional precautions while the cause of the outbreak remains under investigation.
Which Foods Could Carry A Higher Risk?
According to Imtiaz, prewashed bagged lettuce and salad mixes may carry an elevated risk because produce from several farms can be washed, chopped, and packaged together. That process could allow contamination to affect a larger batch.
Precut fruits and vegetables are another concern because removing their skin or peel exposes the interior. Imtiaz described that outer layer as a “natural protective barrier” and said shared processing equipment can also create opportunities for cross-contamination.
Leafy greens grow close to the ground and may come into contact with soil or contaminated irrigation water. Their textured surfaces, folds, veins, and edges can also provide places for the parasite to remain.
Fresh herbs, particularly basil and cilantro, were also identified as higher-risk items.
