Album review
The Paris 2024 Olympics officially kicked off yesterday with the Opening Ceremony, which took place outside a stadium for the first time in the history of the games. In the build-up to the ceremony, Pharrell and Snoop Dogg were among the final carriers of the Olympic torch, and Lady Gaga opened at the show with a performance of Zizi Jeanmaire’s ‘Mon truc en plumes’. French metal legends Gojira became the first metal band to play an Olympic opening ceremony, performing with opera singer Marina Viotti on the side of a castle. Celine Dion, marking her return to the stage for the first time since her diagnosis with Stiff Person Syndrome, closed out the ceremony with a rendition of Edith Piaf’s ‘Hymne a L’Amour’ at the Eiffel Tower. Watch footage from it all below.
After her performance, Lady Gaga shared the following statement:
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!
Oh hey there. 👋
Popping into your timeline to let you know it's officially 24 hours to go to the #Paris2024 #OpeningCeremony #BTSJin | #Jin | #BTS | #방탄소년단 | @bts_bighit pic.twitter.com/F6m223xagW
— The Olympic Games (@Olympics) July 25, 2024
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… pic.twitter.com/FMNyiosHUR
— Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) July 26, 2024
