Lady Gaga shared a message to the world as she performed at the 2024 Olympics Opening Ceremony, sparking questions over her connection to France.
Gaga delivered a dazzling performance as the first musical act during the ceremony — except it was all prerecorded.
The Grammy- and Oscar-winning performer kicked off her performance on steps along the Seine River, singing “Mon Truc en Plumes” in a tribute to French ballet dancer, actor and singer Zizi Jeanmaire. She was accompanied by a troupe of eight dancers carrying pink feather fans, all in custom Dior costumes, before she moved on to the piano.
“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,” the singer wrote on X after her performance.
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Gaga's appearance was a surprise — she was not listed on a program provided to the media in advance — but was heavily rumored after the singer and actor was spotted in Paris. Other rumors included Célion Dion, who was also in the city.
The singer’s representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment about why her performance was prerecorded.
An Associated Press reporter saw Gaga begin to warm up around three hours before the opening ceremony started, performing for about an hour before waving to fans as she walked off.
Paris 2024 Summer Olympics and Paralympics
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Gaga noted she studied for her performance at the Games.
"I studied French choreography that put a modern twist on a French classic. I rehearsed tirelessly to study a joyful French dance, brushing up on some old skills," she wrote.