Olympics 2024: Lady Gaga and Céline Dion among famous faces at opening ceremony
Lady Gaga performs a classic cabaret number at the Olympics opening ceremony. Photo / Supplied
Lady Gaga kicked off the Paris Olympics 2024 along the Seine with a spectacular classic cabaret number in homage to the host country.
Adorned in a cool black Dior feather jacket, a corset and bold red lipstick, the American singer-songwriter emerged through pink feathers held by dancers to hide her identity, keeping the audience in suspense until the right moment. Raising her head in pride as she descended the mustard-coloured stairs, the superstar welcomed spectators: “Bonsoir, bienvenue à Paris!”
Performing the iconic 60s song Mon Truc en Plumes (My Thing with Feathers) entirely in French, Lady Gaga – real name Stefani Germanotta – celebrated the French ballet dancer and singer Zizi Jeanmaire.
Shortly after the performance, the star explained her “special connection” with French culture on social media and said that she was “humbled” to have been asked to open for the games.
“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,” read the Instagram post.
Céline Dion’s comeback
It was raw and it was powerful.
After a four-year hiatus due to illness, Céline Dion made a triumphant comeback with a live performance on the balcony of the Eiffel Tower.
Performing a breathtaking rendition of Édith Piaf’s L’Hymne à l’amour (Hymn to Love) as the Olympic Flame burned in front of more than 300,000 spectators, the Canadian singer brought the opening ceremony to a dramatic close.
Wrapped in striking Dior haute couture, a turtle-neck white, shimmering gown, Dion belted fearlessly - reminding everyone why she’s known as the Queen of Power Ballads.
@celinedionnetwork The most awaited comeback of the “Paris Olympic Queen”. 👑 #CélineDion #IconCeline #Legend #Singer #QueenOfVegas #Celiniacs #Paris2024 #Olympics #SongOfTheDay #Reels #Live
♬ Hymne à l'amour - J-O - ADS
As the song concluded, commentator and singer Kelly Clarkson was visibly in awe. “I actually can’t talk,” she said on air.
The performance had a similar effect on many social media users watching online. “This performance will go down [in] history as one of the best [alongside] the one Whitney [Houston] did ... brought us all to tears gave me goosebumps,” commented one user on TikTok.
“There are ways to make a comeback, and then there is this. Absolutely stunning,” wrote another on YouTube.
“I was in tears,” another remarked.
It’s the first time the superstar has performed live since she was diagnosed with stiff person syndrome in 2022.
The autoimmune neurological disorder is extremely rare, estimated to affect only one in a million people. It causes muscles to progressively stiffen and spasm, creates severe chronic pain and reduces mobility.
Other famous faces at the Olympics
Sports legends, pop stars, royals and politicians were among the crowd at the star-laden ceremony.
Ariana Grande arrived in a Thom Browne drop-waisted box pleat baby pink dress with Cynthia Erivo, who wore a bold emerald green dress by Louis Vuitton.
… ariana …
— Thom Browne (@ThomBrowne) July 26, 2024
ariana grande wears a custom thom browne drop waisted box pleat dress in pink silk duchess satin with bow detail and matching hair tie, gloves in white silk and low pumps in pink and white pebble grain leather to attend the opening ceremony of the paris 2024 olympic… pic.twitter.com/aU9TUn98C9
On a boat on the River Seine, tennis superstars Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams interacted with each other as the Spanish star carried a torch.
Kiwi rugby legend Dan Carter is at the Games, posting on social media yesterday that it was a “massive honour” to be there.
Emmanuel Macron, Michelle Yeoh, footballer Zinedine Zidane, John Legend, Lebron James and Princess Charlene of Monaco have also been spotted at the international sporting event.
