Australian reporter Danika Mason issued an apology after her tipsy on-air moment went viral at the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics.
Australian reporter Danika Mason, who went viral for doing a live Olympic segment while drunk, has issued a public apology. The Channel Nine sports reporter returned to the Today show the following morning, admitting she was “embarrassed” and taking full responsibility for how she appeared during the live cross from Livigno.
Notably, Mason went viral on social media after a clip of her slurred report from Wednesday began circulating online. During the segment, the Australian reporter appeared to slur her words and later went completely off topic, discussing the price of coffee and mixing up references between the US and the UK.
Mason returned to the Today show to issue an apology. While she took full responsibility for her actions, she also cited the cold, altitude, and an empty stomach.
“Look, I totally misjudged the situation, I shouldn’t have had a drink, especially in these conditions, it’s cold, we’ve got altitude, and not having had dinner probably didn’t help as well. But I want to take full responsibility, it’s not the standard I set myself,” Mason said on the Today show.
“So in saying that, I’m genuinely really sorry, and I’m thanking everyone for those messages I’ve received as well.”
While social media jumped in and called Mason’s behaviour “unprofessional”, Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese came out in support of the veteran sports reporter. Speaking from Canberra, he said he was “pro-Danika” and added there was “nothing to see here,” suggesting that jet lag may have played a role in the viral moment.
Mason’s colleagues were just as supportive. Studio host Karl Stefanovic, who had initially tried to smooth over Mason’s tipsy reporting by blaming the cold weather for affecting her speech, doubled down after her apology and called her a “legend.”
Today show co-host Jayne Azzopardi also stood firmly by her, telling Mason, “We know how hard you work.”
While Mason has apologized, the incident will most certainly be remembered as one of the standout viral moments of the Milano Cortina Olympics.
