By the banks of the Seine, American pop star Lady Gaga captivated the audience by singing the iconic French song “Mon truc en plumes” by Zizi Jeanmaire, a hallmark of French music-hall.
Not surprising for Lady Gaga, who sang “La vie en rose,” Edith Piaf’s classic, in French, in the 2018 film “A Star is Born.”
Lady Gaga and France
Long-time fans recall that Gaga previously performed “La vie en rose” in French in “A Star is Born,” directed by Bradley Cooper. Naturally, she was chosen to perform a French song at the Paris Summer Olympics opening ceremony along the Seine.
30 million albums and nearly 170 Million singles sold
The “Poker Face” and “Born This Way” singer is renowned for her eccentricities, performances, and music videos. As of 2014, her global record sales are estimated at 200 million, including 30 million albums and nearly 170 million singles, according to Billboard.
Her accolades include 13 Grammy Awards and 18 MTV Video Music Awards. She was named “Artist of the Year” in 2010 by Billboard, frequently appeared on Forbes lists, and was named the “Most Influential Person in the World” by Time magazine.
Gaga has also made her mark on the big screen with films like “A Star is Born” and, more recently, “The House of Gucci.” The 38-year-old singer also co-composed and performed the hit song “Hold My Hand” from the 2022 film “Top Gun: Maverick.”
“The World Will Watch Paris!”
Nearly 3,000 dancers, actors, and musicians participated in the grand spectacle envisioned by Thomas Jolly. The show aimed to “break the mold” and tell a story of France centered around the word “diversity.”
“The world will watch Paris!” reiterated the 42-year-old artistic director, known for his acclaimed revival of the rock opera “Starmania.”
The Paris Olympics opening show was planned in utmost secrecy, but leaks abounded in the final hours.
3-Hour and 45-Minute Extravaganza
For this 3-hour and 45-minute show along six kilometers of the Seine—an unprecedented event outside a stadium—artistic director Thomas Jolly always aimed to highlight French heritage.
The spectacle leveraged the scenic beauty of the City of Light, including its bridges, rooftops, museums—Orsay, Louvre—and landmarks like the Tuileries and Notre-Dame de Paris.
To read: Olympic opening ceremony: Céline Dion makes a triumphant return after 4 years