Paris Olympics 2024 Opening Ceremony Serves Lady Gaga, Celine Dion, and a Drag Last Supper

To prepare for the performance, “I studied French choreography that put a modern twist on a French classic,” Gaga wrote. “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 ’60s 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!”

What followed was a spectacle that might have been better in person than on TV, if you agree with Deadline‘s assessment. Nakamura, singing her hit song “Djadja,” marched from the famous French school, the Académie Française. In a waterborne performance, scenes from Western history, including (to the dismay of some on the Right) an apparent drag reimagining of the Last Supper, were acted out. A beheaded Marie Antoinette sang along to the French Revolution-era song “Ah! Ça Ira.”

Oh, and athletes from the participating countries trooped in via boat, after a ceremonial lighting of the Games’ torch by judo champ Teddy Riner and track star Marie-José Pérec.

Athletes from the US delegation sail along the river Seine near Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris during the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on July 26, 2024.

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