The 2024 Olympics started off with a bang on Friday, with an extravagant and memorable Opening Ceremony in Paris. The festivities, which honored the history of France and Paris, included some big names performing in the ceremony, which took place in and around the buildings along the Seine River.
The ceremony was headlined by Lady Gaga, who appeared on the banks of the Seine for a performance of Zizi Jeanmaire’s “Mon Truc En Plumes.” The performance was complete with plenty of plumes, pink feathers and a group of dancers.
Lady Gaga’s cabaret-inspired act, which included a chorus line and a performance from the musician on piano, seemingly paid tribute to Jeanmaire’s performance of the song on the “Ed Sullivan Show” in 1965.
Following Lady Gaga, French metal band Gojira played from the windows of a building filled with faux-headless singers, dressed à la Marie Antoinette.
Next, Aya Nakamura came out to perform alongside France’s Republican Guard, whose band accompanied the Malian-French pop star. Nakamura performed her hit “Djadja,” which has charted internationally but hasn’t gotten as much traction in the U.S.
As the rain picked up, the ceremony continued with French-Algerian rapper Rim’K, who was raised in a suburb of Paris.
As the sun went down, French singer-songwriter Juliette Armanet sang a rendition of John Lennon’s “Imagine,” which has become a tradition at the Olympics — honoring international cooperation through sport and calling for worldwide peace. Armanet was accompanied by pianist Sofiane Pamart on a flaming piano.
More performances, including some big names, are expected in the Opening Ceremony, with Canadian singer Celine Dion rumored to make an appearance.
