Hollywood has turned out in force to cheer on the greatest athletes in the world at the Olympic Games. Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, Lady Gaga and others have relished the opportunity to be fans — though they’ve drawn many of their own in the process.
Tom Cruise
The actor, on a break from making Mission: Impossible 8, was in the audience for the women’s gymnastics qualifiers — four-time Olympic gold medallist Simone Biles’s Olympic return — as well as swimming. Giving a performance of his own in the stands, he was out of his seat cheering, clapping and giving a double thumbs up. With him both days was his frequent collaborator Christopher McQuarrie, the M:I 8 director and writer.
“It’s awesome,” the action star told Reuters. “Great stories, great athletes. It’s incredible what they have to do, the sense of accomplishment.”
Cruise also allowed his fellow spectators a fan moment. He went over and took some selfies with them.
Today co-anchor Hoda Kotb, covering the Games for NBC, was flustered when meeting him — and poked fun at herself over how she wasn’t ready for their meet and greet.
The morning show regular was rocking a trash bag-like rain poncho to fight the elements. The movie star wasn’t exactly red carpet ready either with drenched hair, but he knew the assignment and gamely completed it.
Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande
The Wicked co-stars are already well into their movie promotion, appearing together — in pink and green, no less! In addition to their appearance at the opening ceremony, they were in the stands for the gymnastics competition.
The musician and his model wife brought the family — well, two of their four kids (Luna, 8, and Miles, 6) — for the fun.
Legend and Teigen attended the opening ceremony and were in the stadium waving flags and cheering on Simon Biles, Suni Lee and the others during the gymnastics qualifiers. They also watched swimming, with Teigen and the others making some noise in the crowd.
“This was on our bucket list,” Legend told Reuters. “They represent the best of America and we are so proud and excited for them. Let’s go, USA.”
Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban
The seal hands were back as the Oscar-winning actress watched the Olympic skateboarders alley-oop and airwalk alongside her musician husband and their daughters, Sunday, 16, and Faith, 13. But no harm, no foul because they looked like they were having a great time.
Lady Gaga
The singer went from performer during opening ceremony to superfan. Decked out in Team USA gear, she watched gymnastics and swimming with reported fiancé Michael Polansky by her side.
Gaga, who will soon be in the Joker sequel, also posed for photos with fans.
On Friday, Gaga wowed the crowd with her pink pom-pomed performance of “Mon Truc en Plume,” a tribute to French dancer/actor/singer Zizi Jeanmaire. It’s since been reported that it was actually prerecorded due to safety reasons, due to the rain.
Celine Dion
The singer delivered a triumphant performance closing out the opening ceremony on July 26. It was Dion’s first time performing since she announced she was diagnosed with the rare autoimmune neurological disorder stiff-person syndrome in 2022. It was emotional to watch, even for NBC commentator Kelly Clarkson, a fellow singer, who said Dion deserved the gold medal for vocal athletes.
As NBC’s special correspondent this year, the Snoop-of-all-trades has delivered some TV gold already. For instance, here was his take during a badminton match: “As you see it don’t stop till the casket drop.” he said. “They rockin’ and rolling, back and forth. Give me that, no I need that.”
But don’t get Biles’s mom started on how he once ghosted the athlete after she asked him for a photo in 2010. Nellie Biles gave Snoop — who also carried the Olympic torch — the business over it when she caught up with him.
Spike Lee
Who was rooting on the USA basketball team? The film director — and Knicks lover — himself, of course, with an Olympic jersey for the occasion paired with a hat repping his home team.
Nick Jonas
The singer took a jaunt to Paris for a few days to catch the games. While watching Biles and Co. on the mat, he chatted up Legend and Teigen in their luxury box. He was also there for the fashion. He attended a star-studded event at Team USA outfitter Ralph Lauren’s Parisian eatery, Ralph’s Restaurant.
Kelly Clarkson
The singer and talk show host is on the payroll for NBC as she does commentary during the games. She and Peyton Manning received mixed reviews for their opening ceremony coverage, but the show — and the commentary — goes on.
Greta Gerwig
One row down from Cruise during the women’s gymnastics qualifications was the Barbie director.
Queen Latifah
Wearing red, white and blue and waving a flag, the entertainer cheered on the U.S. men’s basketball team.
Jessica Chastain
The Interstellar star — in a Ralph Lauren top from the label’s USA collection — shared a rare glimpse of her children Giulietta, 6, and Augustus, 4, at the gymnastics qualifiers. She also attended the event at Ralph’s Restaurant in red, white and blue.
Christopher Meloni
Ahead of Law & Order: Organized Crime Season Five, Meloni was in Paris for the Games. With his wife by his side, he watched men’s skateboarding, took a selfie with Snoop and attended the Ralph Lauren event.
Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick
The couple brought their three kids — James Wilkie, 21, and twins Tabitha and Marion, 15, to the opening ceremony.
Parker and Broderick, seen rocking USA sports jackets, and their kids also watched gymnastics — where SJP had a warm greeting for Kotb — and beach volleyball.
Nina Dobrev and Shaun White
The Vampire Diaries actress and the three-time Olympic gold medal-winning snowboarder have been spotted all over the place — the opening ceremony, the gymnastic qualifiers and fashion parties (Louis Vuitton and Ralph Lauren) — despite Dobrev being on the mend after surgery stemming from an e-bike crash.
At one point, White was snapped pushing Dobrev through a crowd in a wheelchair, as it’s her first time out without crutches. That’s dedication!
Pharrell Williams
The musician turned designer participated in the Olympic torch-bearing relay, attended the opening ceremony and also hosted Louis Vuitton’s star-studded pre-Olympics bash, which drew celebrities including LeBron James, Steven Spielberg, Charlize Theron, Mick Jagger, Zendaya, Jeremy Allen White and Rosalía, John Mulaney, Sophia Bush and Zac Efron.
Salma Hayek
The Magic Mike’s Last Dance actress also participated in the torch relay. On social media, she called it an honor, adding, “I was proud to represent the enduring spirit of the Olympics, bringing light, hope, and unity to all.”
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Laura Davis is an entertainment aficionado who delves into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry. From Hollywood to Broadway, she offers readers an insider’s perspective on the world of movies, music, and pop culture.
