Apparent drag ‘parody of Last Supper’ at Paris 2024 Olympics opening ceremony sparks controversy
A crew of drag queens and dancers performed an apparent “parody of the Last Supper” at the 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony Friday, drawing intense criticism across social media.
“This is crazy. Opening your event by replacing Jesus and the disciples at the Last Supper with men in drag,” Clint Russel, the host of the Liberty Lockdown podcast, fumed on X.
“There are 2.4 billion Christians on earth and apparently the Olympics wanted to declare loudly to all of them, right out of the gate NOT WELCOME,” said Russel.
During the show, a group of 18 performers — including three familiar Drag Race France queens — struck poses behind what looked like a long table with the Seine River and Eiffel Tower poignantly placed in the background.
At the center was an ornately dressed woman with a large silver headdress that resembled a halo as depicted in paintings of Jesus. She smiled and made a heart shape with her hands as her peers stared down the camera before breaking out in a choreographed routine.
Models then stormed the stage for the impromptu fashion show that saw the supposed Last Supper-mockers swaying along the sidelines.
The showcase turned into a dance floor at the end, with Drag Race France host Nicky Doll strutting down the stage. Contestants Paloma and Piche were also part of the performance.
To add to the “absurdity,” a massive serving tray was planted on the stage — revealing a scantily dressed man, painted head to toe in sparkling blue, curled up inside.
The Olympics said the performance was an “interpretation of the Greek God [of wine and festivity] Dionysus” to make “us aware of the absurdity of violence between human beings.”
But social media users felt that the group was making fun of Christianity and even French politicians denounced the show.
Practicing Catholic Marion Maréchal took to X, saying: “To all the Christians of the world who are watching the #Paris2024 ceremony and felt insulted by this drag queen parody of the Last Supper, know that it is not France that is speaking but a left-wing minority ready for any provocation.”
Tesla boss Elon Musk also slammed the performance, saying it was “extremely disrespectful to Christians.”
Plenty of other social media users applauded the performance as historic, especially after it followed three drag queens carrying Olympic torches for the first time.
Doll, along with artists Minima Gesté and Miss Martini, participated in the ritual as the flame passed through France in May, with each saying the moment symbolized unity and peace.
