The Paris 2024 Olympics opening ceremony took place today (July 26), and it featured a performance from Lady Gaga, who sang “Mon truc en plumes.” See photos of her performance on the Seine below.
Later, Gojira became the first metal band to play an Olympic opening ceremony. They were joined by opera singer Marina Viotti to do “Ah! Ça Ira.”
And, triumphantly, Celine Dion was the last performer, marking her return to the stage for the first time since her 2022 diagnosis with Stiff Person Syndrome. The Québécois singer, who performed Hymne à l’amour,” had teased her comeback in April, telling Vogue France, “I’ve chosen to work with all my body and soul, from head to toe, with a medical team. I want to be the best I can be. My goal is to see the Eiffel Tower again!”
Earlier in the day, Snoop Dogg and Pharrell Williams were among those to carry the Olympic torch in the pre-ceremony build-up.
On social media, after her performance, Lady Gaga shared:
I feel so completely grateful to have been asked to open the Paris @Olympics 2024 this year. I am also humbled to be asked by the Olympics organizing committee to sing such a special French song—a song to honor the French people and their tremendous history of art, music, and theatre. This song was sung by Zizi Jeanmaire, born in Paris a French ballerina, she famously sang “Mon Truc en Plumes” in 1961. The title means “My Thing with Feathers.” And this is not the first time we’ve crossed paths. Zizi starred in Cole Porter’s musical “Anything Goes” which was my first jazz release. Although I am not a French artist, I have always felt a very special connection with French people and singing French music—I wanted nothing more than to create a performance that would warm the heart of France, celebrate French art and music, and on such a momentous occasion remind everyone of one of the most magical cities on earth—Paris. We rented pom poms from Le Lido archive—a real French cabaret theater. We collaborated with Dior to create custom costumes, using naturally molted feathers. I studied French choreography that put a modern twist on a French classic. I rehearsed tirelessly to study a joyful French dance, brushing up on some old skills—I bet you didn’t know I used to dance at a 60’s French party on the lower east side when I was first starting out! I hope you love this performance as much as I do. And to everyone in France, thank you so much for welcoming me to your country to sing in honor of you—it’s a gift I’ll never forget! Congratulations to all the athletes who are competing in this year’s Olympic Games! It is my supreme honor to sing for you and cheer you on!! Watching the Olympic Games always makes me cry! Your talent is unimaginable. Let the games begin!
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