Country superstar Blake Shelton recently found himself in a quirky—and slightly smelly—situation minutes before performing on NBC’s Today show. While filling in for Carson Daly during his PopStart segment on May 13, Shelton was treated to an unexpected snack: a large portion of fried calamari, courtesy of Daly himself. But what started as a tasty surprise quickly turned into a regretful pre-performance moment.
A Calamari Surprise from Carson Daly
Before Shelton’s Today plaza performance of new songs “Stay Country or Die Tryin’” and “Texas,” Daly recorded a playful message congratulating Shelton on his latest album, For Recreational Use Only. He then revealed that, much like Van Halen’s famous backstage M&M requests, Shelton had a special demand of his own—a craving for fried calamari.
“This is, like doughnut calamari,” Shelton remarked, eyeing the unusually large rings as he relaxed on the couch alongside hosts Jenna Bush Hager, Dylan Dreyer, Savannah Guthrie, and Craig Melvin. The hosts debated the wisdom of eating calamari at 8:30 a.m., with Guthrie commenting on the suspiciously round shapes of the pieces.
The Calamari’s Encore on Stage
Shelton carried the calamari with him when he took the stage to perform, prompting Melvin to joke, “We’re back with Blake Shelton and he kept his baby with him.”
Unfortunately, the fried seafood wasn’t aging well. Shelton admitted, “It’s starting to stink,” a sentiment echoed by Bush Hager. “I’m not sure how fresh it was when y’all brought it to me,” Shelton added, as Guthrie and the hosts assured him they hoped he wouldn’t get food poisoning. Shelton humorously pleaded, “If I cannot get sick for the next 20 minutes, that would be great. Then we don’t care.”
Shelton’s Musical Momentum
Despite the calamari fiasco, Shelton’s career continues to soar. Earlier in May, he told PEOPLE that the success of his collaboration with Post Malone on “Pour Me a Drink” reignited his passion for recording, leading to the creation of For Recreational Use Only. The album’s lead single, “Texas,” marked his 30th No. 1 hit—a milestone Shelton takes pride in.
“I’ve always been a nerd for country music stats,” he said, reflecting on his admiration for George Strait’s record of 60 No. 1 hits. “Now to have my own chapter where I can go, ‘Man, this is my catalog and my legacy’… it really is exciting.”
While the calamari snack may not have been the perfect pre-show meal, Blake Shelton’s star power and humor ensured the Today audience got an unforgettable performance—and a good laugh about the unexpected challenges of live TV mornings.
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