Kelly Clarksondoesn’t take sick days.
TheUglyDollsstar, 37, revealed on Thursday that immediately following Wednesday night’sBillboard Music Awards— which shehosted in fantastic fashionand even gave a rousing solo performance — she was rushed to the hospital to have herappendix removeddue to acute appendicitis.
But just how did she pull off performing and multiple wardrobe changes while braving the painful condition? Producers and sources who were there tell PEOPLE it was a Herculean feat.
“Hosting an awards show is not an easy gig. For Kelly to pull it off — especiallyher incredible opening number— while in pain and knowing she was having surgery the next morning makes her an even bigger rockstar,” says Mark Bracco, Executive Producer of the Billboard Music Awards and Executive Vice President of Programming and Development for Dick Clark Productions.
“She truly is the best,” he adds.
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As for how it all went down, a source reveals: “Her team told producers ahead of the show during rehearsals and said that nothing will change, the show will go on, she will proceed as planned and she did do everything as planned. She was like ‘I’m going to power through.'”
And that’s just what happened, except for one very necessary change.
Later in the evening, theAmerican Idolchampion performed her latest hit “Broken & Beautiful,” switching from her black gown into a one-shoulder pink dress with a belt around her waist.
Now that the news is out, the source says even those who were there are in awe.
“Everyone working the show didn’t even know until after and executives told everyone and they were like, ‘No way! She’s like superwoman.’ She sang her heart out, not just for the opening number but for ‘Broken & Beautiful.’ The number of outfit changes she had… how are you not in pain?” the source explains.
Clarkson’s surgery did not appear to be an emergency procedure, as she had been experiencing intense appendicitis pain for the last week,Entertainment Tonightreports.
Similar to her BBMAs hosting gig, Clarkson likely won’t be down for long, as she intends on returning toThe Voicein just a few days for Monday’s live show, according to the outlet.
She’s also going to start preparing for her new talk show, premiering on NBC in September.
source: people.com
