Lady Gaga faced criticism after her performance at the Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony due to technical difficulties. Many fans complained about issues with the audio equipment, which made it difficult to hear her voice clearly. Despite the backlash, Gaga addressed the situation on X, expressing her gratitude for the opportunity and her intentions behind the performance.
A Heartfelt Tribute to French Art and Music
In her statement, Gaga shared, “I am completely grateful to have been asked to open the Paris @Olympics 2024. It was a true honor to sing a special French song to celebrate the rich history of French art, music, and theater.” She explained that the song she performed was originally sung by the Parisian ballerina Zizi Jeanmaire, known for her 1961 hit “Mon Truc en Plumes.”
Gaga highlighted her bond with French culture, saying, “Even though I’m not a French artist, I’ve always felt a strong connection with the French people and their music.”My goal was to create a performance that would warm the heart of France and celebrate its artistic heritage.”
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
Behind the Scenes: A Labor of Love
Gaga revealed the extensive preparations that went into the performance, including renting pom-poms from the Le Lido archive, a renowned French cabaret theater, and collaborating with Dior for custom costumes made from naturally molted feathers. She also learned French choreography to add a modern twist to a traditional French dance, stating, “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!”
Gaga concluded her message with a heartfelt thank you to the French people and congratulations to all the Olympic athletes, expressing her deep emotional connection to the Games and the honor she felt performing at such a significant event. The Olympic Games acknowledged her contribution, calling her performance “instantly iconic.”