Directed by Hamish Hamilton, it stars Kelly Clarkson, Blake Shelton, Reba McEntire, Trisha Yearwood, Robin Williams, Whoopi Goldberg, William Shatner, Jay Leno, Matt Lauer, Danica Patrick, Heidi Klum, Ken Jeong, Jai Rodriguez and Morgan Bastin.
[5][6] With its musical performances filmed live at The Venetian Las Vegas on October 30, 2013,[4] the television special itself was broadcast on December 11, 2013 on NBC in the United States.
Kelly's career has been fading, so she, her manager (Ken Jeong) and her assistant Chad (Jai Rodriguez) make a plan to revive it.
She manages to get Reba McEntire and Trisha Yearwood to sing "Silent Night" with her on her special by blackmailing them.
Meanwhile, a video of Kelly singing "White Christmas" has gone viral on YouTube, having more than 25 million views, and the fact is announced by Matt Lauer.
[9][10][11][12] Clarkson cited the 2003 Christmas feature film Elf as one of her inspirations, she remarked: "I wanted to tell a real story, make a new classic, not just do some skits that aren't really related.
"[4] Ian Stewart, the television special's executive producer, said it will feature a full narrative from the beginning to end.
'"[4] Stewart, through his company Done and Dusted, had previously produced television events such as the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show and the 2012 Summer Olympics opening ceremony, revealed producing a Christmas special presents similar challenges, citing: "Supermodels in lingerie is a very lovely thing, but if that's all you give, like chocolate, it makes you sick, so you keep refreshing, to keep people excited.
[8] The television special's musical performances were taped in front of a live audience at The Venetian Las Vegas on October 30, 2013, a day after Wrapped in Red's street release.
[4] It features special guests Reba McEntire, Trisha Yearwood, and Ronnie Dunn, accompanied by twenty-nine musicians and a choir.
[4] On October 21, 2014, the special was released on a bonus DVD with Wrapped in Red as a part of Walmart exclusive reissue.