Overview
- Clarkson’s opener aired before Cowboys–Commanders as a prerecorded piece featuring a sleigh arrival, a Netflix snowglobe reveal, and an illustrated tree superimposed on the field with Cowboys Cheerleaders.
- Social posts criticized the heavy visual effects and perceived inauthenticity, with some viewers alleging Netflix reused the same clip before both games, though her vocals were not the target of complaints.
- The Christmas Gameday doubleheader streamed globally on Netflix with Cowboys–Commanders followed by Lions–Vikings, with halftime performers including Snoop Dogg, Lainey Wilson, and K‑pop artists EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami.
- Clarkson’s selection tied to her long-standing Cowboys fandom rooted in Fort Worth–Burleson and her NFL history that includes the Super Bowl XLVI national anthem, a 2012 Cowboys-themed single, and hosting NFL Honors in 2023.
- Coverage also noted the performance capped a difficult year for Clarkson following ex-husband Brandon Blackstock’s August death from cancer, which the family confirmed in a statement.