On “The Voice,” Mikaela Shiffrin surprises Michael Bublé and Kelsey Ballerini

Is there anything that the most accomplished ski racer of all time cannot accomplish?
Mikaela Shiffrin can now concentrate on other aspects of her life, such as the numerous celebrity cameos she has acquired as an American sports icon, now that the race season has concluded.

Last week, Shiffrin began teasing something musical on her Instagram page. However, if you overlooked it (as I did) or are not a dedicated fan of musical reality TV (as I am), the subsequent announcement was quite unexpected. On May 20, 2025, Shiffrin appeared as a guest on the season finale of the singing-based reality show The Voice.

Shiffrin visited the set of the program to provide ski tips to two of the hosts, Michael Bublé and Kelsey Ballerini. Teaching skiing from a sound stage is a challenging endeavour, particularly for two individuals who lack experience on actual skis. However, what transpired was a comical sequence in which Shiffrin attempted to instruct Bublé and Ballerini on the distinction between a pizza and a French fry, as well as some fundamental body positioning principles, before employing a few ski simulators instead. Undoubtedly, the entire event was somewhat amusing and somewhat embarrassing.

Bublé and Ballerini present Shiffrin with a guitar and microphone, much like Shriffin’s use of artificial snow to impress Ballerini had me prepared to dismiss it as a frivolous reality TV appearance.

View the video by tapping or clicking the button below. Navigate to the 1:50 mark of the video to view Shiffrin’s interpretation of Anna Nalick’s “Breathe (2 AM).”

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DID ANYONE ELSE KNOW THAT SHE COULD SING?

I will acknowledge that I am not a close observer of ski racing, and as a result, I am not familiar with a significant number of ski racers. Consequently, it is entirely feasible that this was a significant oversight on my part, particularly in light of the fact that she had shared a video of the same song on her Instagram account a week prior. However, regardless of whether this is news to you, the inquiry that I continue to revisit is: Is there anything that Mikaela Shiffrin is incapable of accomplishing?

Bublé and Ballerini were both contemplating the same scenario, as evidenced by their responses. Although they may not have acquired numerous new ski skills, they may have discovered a new contestant for The Voice, provided that Shiffrin completes her pursuit of every gold medal in site.

If the clip from the performance is insufficient, you may also listen to Shiffrin’s complete rendition of the song below. To view, simply tap or click.

Eileen Gu at the SI Swim Launch in May 2025

Mikaela Shiffrin Eyes SNL Spotlight While Hinting at Mysterious New Project — Fans Are Freaking Out!

Mikaela Shiffrin is no stranger to the spotlight, but it looks like the two-time Olympic gold medalist is setting her sights beyond the ski slopes. In a recent flurry of interviews and social media teasers, the alpine icon dropped a tantalizing hint: she wants to host Saturday Night Live. And that’s not all — she’s also working on a “secret project” that has fans losing their minds with speculation.

The buzz began during a candid segment on a podcast appearance last week, where Shiffrin was asked what she’d do if she weren’t skiing. Without missing a beat, she replied, “I’d love to host SNL. I’ve always wanted to try comedy, just to see if I could pull it off.”

That unexpected confession set social media ablaze. Memes popped up within hours, with fans imagining Shiffrin in iconic SNL skits, from “Weekend Update” to the infamous “Debbie Downer” table. Some even joked that she’d race down a ski slope live on air.

But Mikaela didn’t stop there. She posted a cryptic Instagram Story the next day featuring a boomerang of her in a recording studio with the caption: “Something fun brewing… stay tuned.” No other details. No tags. Just enough to spark wild theories across the internet.

Could she be collaborating with a major comedian? Is she working on a sketch show of her own? Or is this all part of a master plan to land that SNL hosting gig? The mystery is part of the charm — and the chaos.

Fans have taken to Reddit and Twitter to speculate. “What if it’s a documentary where she trains to do stand-up and ends with her on SNL?” one user suggested. Another added, “Plot twist: she’s starring in a Netflix comedy-drama about a skier turned actress.”

Adding fuel to the fire, a few days later Shiffrin posted another hint — a photo of her holding a script with the words blurred out, and a smirk that said, I know something you don’t. The caption? “I’m nervous. And excited. That’s usually a good sign, right?”

It’s no surprise that Mikaela’s potential move into entertainment is generating this much excitement. Aside from being one of the greatest skiers in history, she’s charismatic, funny, and sharp — qualities that would translate well to late-night TV or even Hollywood.

In fact, fans got a taste of her comedic chops in a video from the Beijing Olympics, where she hilariously reenacted her own wipeouts to the tune of dramatic music. That clip went viral — and even got the attention of some late-night hosts.

It’s also worth noting that SNL has a history of inviting athletes to host — from Michael Jordan to Ronda Rousey and, more recently, Travis Kelce. Shiffrin’s global fame and media-savvy persona make her a natural candidate to join that list.

Behind the scenes, there are whispers that Shiffrin’s team is already in talks with NBC. An anonymous source close to the show revealed, “Her name has definitely come up in conversations. She’s got mainstream appeal, and she’s not afraid to laugh at herself. That’s gold for SNL.”

If true, this could mark the beginning of a fascinating second act in Shiffrin’s career. At just 30 years old, she’s still dominating her sport — but clearly has the ambition and creativity to branch out.

The idea of an athlete crossing over into entertainment isn’t new, but few do it with the level of authenticity Mikaela brings. She’s always been open with fans, sharing both triumphs and struggles, which has only deepened her connection with audiences worldwide.

In one of her recent interviews, she dropped this gem: “I’ve spent my life chasing milliseconds. Now I kind of want to see what else I can chase. Maybe a laugh, or a new challenge.”

That quote alone was enough to get fans rallying behind her. “Mikaela for SNL 2025!” started trending on X (formerly Twitter), with celebrities and athletes chiming in their support.

As for the “secret project,” we’re still in the dark — but with every new teaser, anticipation grows. It could be a comedy short. It could be a docuseries. Heck, it could be a mockumentary about an Olympic athlete trying to become a comedian.

Whatever it is, Mikaela Shiffrin has our attention. She’s proven herself on the mountain. Now, it looks like she’s gearing up to conquer a new kind of stage — one with punchlines instead of podiums.

So, will we see her in Studio 8H next season? Time will tell. But if there’s one thing we know about Mikaela Shiffrin, it’s that when she sets her sights on something, she usually wins — and makes history while doing it.

Mikaela Shiffrin Reflects on Legacy, Pressure, and Comparisons to Skiing Legends in Candid Interview with Mike Tirico

In a wide-ranging and thoughtful conversation with veteran sportscaster Mike Tirico, alpine skiing superstar Mikaela Shiffrin opened up about the growing weight of legacy, the frequent comparisons to skiing greats of the past, and her own evolving relationship with the sport she has dominated for over a decade.

The interview, part of a special feature aired during NBC’s winter sports coverage, offered a rare and intimate look into the mind of a champion who has already rewritten the record books but insists that her journey is about more than just numbers.

A Career Defined by Excellence

Shiffrin, who recently surpassed the all-time record for World Cup victories—previously held by Swedish legend Ingemar Stenmark—spoke humbly about her accomplishments. “It’s hard to wrap my head around being mentioned in the same breath as some of the greatest athletes in the history of the sport,” she told Tirico. “I still feel like I’m learning, like I’m trying to improve every time I get on the mountain.”

The 29-year-old American skier has consistently defied expectations since bursting onto the scene in her teenage years, quickly earning a reputation for technical precision, icy composure, and a relentless drive. Her dominance in both slalom and giant slalom has made her a fixture atop podiums, while her versatility across disciplines has set her apart in the annals of alpine skiing.

On Comparisons to Legends

When Tirico asked how she deals with constant comparisons to icons like Lindsey Vonn and Stenmark, Shiffrin paused thoughtfully before responding. “I have immense respect for Lindsey and Ingemar—not just for what they achieved, but for how they carried themselves in their careers. But I’ve always felt that the only person I should be competing with is myself.”

She continued, “Those comparisons are inevitable, but they can also be distracting. Everyone’s journey is different. I try to focus on skiing well and staying healthy—mentally and physically. If I can do that, then I feel like I’m honoring the sport and the people who inspired me to get into it in the first place.”

Handling Pressure and Personal Growth

The conversation also touched on the emotional challenges that come with elite-level competition. Shiffrin has been candid in the past about the mental toll of fame, expectation, and personal tragedy—including the loss of her father in 2020. In her sit-down with Tirico, she acknowledged the ongoing process of balancing ambition with self-care.

“There were moments when I wondered if I could keep going,” she admitted. “The grief, the pressure—it can be overwhelming. But I’ve learned to listen to myself, to take a step back when needed, and to lean on the people around me.”

Shiffrin praised her support system, including her family, coaches, and partner Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, a fellow World Cup skier. “They’ve been my rock. Having someone who understands what this life demands is a huge gift.”

Looking Ahead

As for the future, Shiffrin remains both grounded and motivated. “I don’t know how many more seasons I’ll compete at this level,” she said with a smile. “But I still feel the fire. There are goals I haven’t reached yet—races I haven’t won, moments I still dream about.”

In an era increasingly defined by short attention spans and fleeting fame, Shiffrin’s longevity, humility, and grace under pressure make her not just a legend in the making, but a role model for athletes across all sports. Her conversation with Mike Tirico was more than just a retrospective—it was a window into the heart and mind of a competitor who continues to redefine what greatness looks like, on her own terms.