US Open Commentators Confuse Legendary Dionne Warwick for Gladys Knight

On August 31st, sports commentators Mary Carillo and Chanda Rubin of the U.S. Open presided over Serena William’s match against Annet Kntaveit at the Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York. While commentating, the announcers called out some famous faces in the crowd watching the game. However, during the shoutouts, Carillo confused one Black icon for another. She confused

legendary singer Dionne Warwick with Gladys Knight.  

In a now-viral video, the camera panned to Warwick sitting in the stands. Rubin began, “Got some more stars,” And Carillo quickly and falsely identified her, “Gladys Knight!”

Rubin offered a melodious agreement to her identification. 

Although Carillo never corrected herself, Rubin explained her part in the mistake under the original Tweet on Twitter. 

“Too bad I was initially looking at the court (where Auntie Gladys was in the stands) and not our program monitor that showed Ms. Dionne… mistake was immediately corrected.”  

And as for Warwick, she was good-natured about the mishap on her own Twitter, taking on her hilarious new role as Auntie Gladys.

“Hi, I’m Gladys Knight…” she wrote on that very same day, “And instead of taking that midnight train to Georgia, I won’t walk on by but will say a little prayer for you.”

The results of the Tennis bout went to Serena in the end, in a 6 to 2 victory over Annet – dominating in Aces and first serve percentages.