Fresh off one of the most dominant performances in Olympic alpine skiing history, Mikaela Shiffrin found herself trending for an entirely different reason: an accidental profanity-laced moment during a live appearance on NBC’s Today show.
The 30-year-old American superstar, who captured her third Olympic gold medal — and first in eight years — with a commanding 1.50-second victory in the women’s slalom at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, joined hosts Hoda Kotb, Craig Melvin, and Carson Daly Thursday morning to reflect on the historic win. Her margin of victory marked the largest in any Olympic alpine event since 1998, cementing her status as the first U.S. alpine skier to claim three career golds.
The conversation quickly turned emotional as Shiffrin opened up about the spiritual and grieving journey tied to her late father, Jeff Shiffrin, who passed away in 2020. Describing a quiet moment in the hospitality tent before her winning run, she said:
“There’s definitely been a spiritual journey I’ve been on the last years. I took a moment and I said… f—ing. S—! Oh my God, I’m so sorry!”
Shiffrin immediately covered her mouth in shock as the expletives slipped out live on air. The hosts responded with laughter and quick reassurance to ease the awkwardness.
“We got you,” Hoda Kotb said with a smile. “We’ll pay the (FCC) fine. Don’t worry about it.”
Craig Melvin chimed in: “We know what you meant. You’re wearing gold! It’s okay. It’s okay.”
Shiffrin, visibly embarrassed, repeated her apology: “Oh my God, I’m so sorry. That’s so bad.”
The lighthearted exchange quickly diffused the tension, and the interview shifted to her post-race celebration — including her first Espresso martinis in two years — before circling back to the deeper meaning of the victory.
In a follow-up statement shared later Thursday via her social media, Shiffrin addressed the incident directly:
“I’m truly sorry for the language that slipped out during my live interview on Today. It was completely unintentional, and I feel terrible about it — especially knowing kids might have been watching. Emotions were high after such an incredible and emotional week, but that’s no excuse. Thank you to Hoda, Craig, Carson, and the whole team for handling it with such grace and humor. Grateful for all the support — on and off the mountain.”
The clip has since exploded across social media, racking up millions of views and sparking a wave of supportive — and amused — reactions from fans who praised her authenticity and humanity amid the pressure of global stardom.
Shiffrin’s slalom triumph not only broke a personal eight-race Olympic medal drought but also etched her name deeper into U.S. skiing lore. Whether this was her final Olympic race remains uncertain, but Thursday’s viral moment reminded the world that even the most poised legends can have unscripted, relatable seconds.
For now, the gold around her neck — and the goodwill pouring in — speak louder than any slip of the tongue. 🇺🇸🥇
