Insiders have revealed that Jimmy Fallon’s recent performance at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, although deemed excessive by some, was not considered a ‘disaster’ as critics suggest. The entertainer’s enthusiastic lip-syncing was aimed at providing an entertaining experience for the audience gathered to watch the annual event.
The Tonight Show star, 50, was roasted by viewers over an apparent blunder with his microphone and his decision to wear sunglasses in the rain.
Fallon, who took the stage with his longtime backing band, The Roots, to perform the song “Hey Rudy” on a massive steam train float, remains unperturbed by the mixed reviews. Despite the criticisms, he is not feeling ’embarrassed’ about his involvement in the parade and stands by his actions to engage the crowd.
According to an exclusive source speaking to DailyMail.com, Jimmy Fallon is undeterred by the negative comments surrounding his Macy’s parade appearance. On the contrary, he seems to be taking it all in stride and is not letting the backlash affect him. In fact, his lively presence has become a focal point of discussion stemming from the parade, overshadowing other aspects of the event.
‘For Jimmy, he’s hoping the interest will translate into more album sales this holiday season.’
The comedian raised suspicion on Thursday morning as he energetically bounced around while singing the Christmas song in a pair of sunglasses.
Jimmy Fallon ’s performance at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade was not a ‘disaster,’ according to insiders who claim he was simply going ‘overboard’ with his lip syncing to entertain
The Tonight Show star, 50, was roasted by viewers over an apparent blunder with his microphone and his decision to wear sunglasses in the rain
But once the music stopped and he attempted to say hello to the crowd it was clear his microphone was not on, prompting viewers to take aim at his lip syncing.
‘Jimmy Fallon with the worst case of lip singing ever,’ wrote one person on X. ‘He even talked when the song was over and his mic wasn’t even working.’
Another added: ‘Fallon and the Roots at least gotta try to make it look like they aren’t lip syncing lol.’
A third said: ‘Anyone else notice the HORRIBLE lip syncing done by Jimmy Fallon??’
Explaining Fallon’s set, the source said: ‘When you look back at it, what really happened? Nobody got hurt, he knew he was going to lip sync, so he took it overboard.
‘He is an entertainer and just had fun, so if people think it was a disaster or he was hungover, that’s on them.
‘He thought it was really fun to be up there and act a fool.’
The somewhat embarrassing moment proceeded questions about Fallon’s appearance when the parade kicked off at 8.30am.
‘He is an entertainer and just had fun, so if people think it was a disaster or he was hungover, that’s on them,’ the insider told DailyMail.com
The TV host, who was celebrating his 11th year at the parade, had his shades on despite the overcast sky and heavy downpour, sparking jokes about him being ‘hungover’ or ‘drunk.’
One fan joked: ‘Jimmy Fallon wearing sunglasses in the rain is the big hangover energy America can relate to today.’
‘Jimmy Fallon in sunglasses in a genuinely good mood clearly still drunk,’ posted another.
A separate source previously told DailyMail.com that it was a deliberate choice for the star and his band to rock their shades.
‘His band are wearing sunglasses, they all rehearsed in them,’ the insider noted.
Fallon was in good company at this year’s parade, which also played host to Kylie Minogue, Ariana Madix and T-Pain, whose greatest hits medley saw fans begging for Super Bowl bosses to book him for a half time show.
The parade came just weeks after Fallon dropped his new Christmas album, Holiday Seasoning, which debuted at No. 2 on Billboard’s Top Holiday Albums chart and No. 1 on the Comedy Albums Chart.