The 2024 Summer Olympics are officially underway in Paris. The city of love has become the center of the world as athletes from around the globe have trekked to participate in events that will take place from July 26 through August 11. The Olympics planned a special opening ceremony to kick things off that started with a special appearance from one of France’s most legendary athletes.
Music icons Lady Gaga and Céline Dion were reported to be performing in the Opening Ceremony. Gaga did, indeed, end up performing a surprise number early on, and Dion closed out the ceremony in a spectacular surprise performance on the Eiffel Tower. Here are the highlights from what’s happened so far in the Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony.
Soccer legend Zinedine Zidane carries the torch
Jamel Debbouze et Zinedine Zidane lancent la #ceremoniedouverture des Jeux Olympiques de #Paris2024 ! pic.twitter.com/DJzhMHtdn8— Eurosport France (@Eurosport_FR) July 26, 2024
Prologue.Il faut ramener à Paris la Flamme Olympique arrivée par erreur au Stade de France.Elle est attendue par des milliers d’athlètes et spectateurs sur la Seine.Merci Zinedine Zidane–Prologue.We must bring the Olympic Torch back to Paris. It accidentally arrived at… pic.twitter.com/FLnVEf226Q— Paris 2024 (@Paris2024) July 26, 2024
The French soccer superstar carried the torch throughout the city, running all the way to the train station where he passed the torch off to three children. The kids descended into the catacombs of Paris, where they were picked up by a cryptic, mysterious figure in a rowboat. The boat appeared as music that sounded it like was straight from The Phantom of the Opera played. They traveled down the Seine, the streets lined with spectators.
Athletes arrive in the Parade of Athletes
Welcome to France #OpeningCeremony pic.twitter.com/6ldg3zx7Aj— Scott Bryan (@scottygb) July 26, 2024
The second segment of the show was titled “Enchanted” and saw the athletes arrive in boats on the Seine. Greece arrived first, as is tradition for the Olympic games. The Refugee Olympic team, representing over 100 million displaced around the world, was one of the first arrivals as well. Countries like Syria, Iran, and Cameroon are all represented on the team.
Lady Gaga Surprise Performance
There’s one thing I would bet my life on and it’s that Lady Gaga will EGOT pic.twitter.com/bni5J4kt9O— Liv Marks (@OliviaLilyMarks) July 26, 2024
Lady Gaga rehearsing for the opening ceremony of the #Olympics pic.twitter.com/rN4ThVCE0z— Pop Base (@PopBase) July 26, 2024
LADY GAGA OPENS PARIS OLYMPICS #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/OYbY03pOvK— Art (@ArturoIntac) July 26, 2024
lady gaga performing at the #olympics.pic.twitter.com/r7GJVuDgPV— pop culture (@gagasyuyi) July 26, 2024
Entering on a staircase set up on the side of the river, Gaga made her surprise entrance behind pink feather fans and delighted the crowd with a rousing opening number.
Moulin Rouge, Notre Dame, Les Mis, & More Performers
Because we can, can, can!80 artists from the Moulin Rouge perform the iconic dance that dates back to the 1820s.Their pink costumes have been specifically designed for the #OpeningCeremony. Très chic. #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/3b7dFsXgx5— The Olympic Games (@Olympics) July 26, 2024
26 seconds of genuinely brilliant direction pic.twitter.com/d0axTUYxoe— Jarett Wieselman (@JarettSays) July 26, 2024
This part of #OpeningCeremony with French band Gojira was badass pic.twitter.com/v6dWDorPM0— Wu Tang is for the Children (@WUTangKids) July 26, 2024
Same Vibes.#OpeningCeremony #OlympicGames pic.twitter.com/o3mA4y9oUz— David Grashoff (@grasimar) July 26, 2024
Who’s that mysterious figure holding the torch?#Paris2024 #OpeningCeremony pic.twitter.com/C2FQBqvJZl— The Olympic Games (@Olympics) July 26, 2024
Gaga’s performance was followed up by an energetic can-can dance from a big cast of dancers alongside the river. The 80 dancers were all performers from the iconic Moulin Rouge.
Then, the masked torchbearer returned zip lining over the city and arriving at Notre Dame for the “Synchronicity” segment of the ceremony. This segment featured a performance from dancers meant to honor the people helping renovate Notre Dame after its devastating fire in 2019.
The torchbearer then arrived in a theater where they were immersed in a performance of “Do You Hear the People Sing” from Les Misérables, which opened the “Liberté” segment. A beheaded Marie Antoinette appeared as French rock band Gojira played to honor the history of French revolutionaries. An opera singer also performed as a fake boat rolled down the street.
Aya Nakamura Performance
Aya Nakamura for Olympic Games !!!!! #ceremoniedouverture #OpeningCeremony #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/UvtJHBxwsu— aya base. (@nakamura_base) July 26, 2024
The French-Malian singer performed decked out in gold to perform for the excited crowd. Nakamura is one of France’s biggest pop stars. She was joined by the orchestra of the Republican Guard for their performance on the Pont des Arts.
Snoop Dogg carries the torch
Paris 2024 #OpeningCeremony mood: @Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/drmp6jNmsF— The Olympic Games (@Olympics) July 26, 2024
The rapper is appearing as a commentator throughout the games this summer and had the honor of carrying the torch at one point during the ceremony.
Axelle Saint-Cirel performs the French national anthem
El himno más hermoso del mundo para muchos. J’adore, belle France. La mezzosoprano Axelle Saint-Cirel interpretó a la perfección esta nueva y emotiva versión de La Marsellesa. pic.twitter.com/ugboFvJsFL— Sambonews TV Digital (@STD_ECU) July 26, 2024
The mezzo-soprano opera singer performed “La Marseillaise,” the French national anthem, from the roof of the Grand Palais.
Drag Queens line the runway
DRAG QUEENS!!!! NICKY DOLL!!!!!! GRITÉ MUCHÍSIMO!!!! #OpeningCeremony pic.twitter.com/FLKD8ruG4J— luis ruiz (@luisrd) July 26, 2024
#OpeningCeremony | La moda, el glamour y la pasarela se hace presente en #Paris2024, donde un grupo de drag queen se encuentran en primera fila.https://t.co/hZHebPn2DE pic.twitter.com/ahBfGPBqL4— La-Lista (@LaListanews) July 26, 2024
Drag queens, including RuPaul’s Drag Race France star Nicky Doll, appeared along a runway that paid tribute to both drag and fashion.
Céline Dion surprise performance on the Eiffel Tower
CÉLINE DIONBRAVE IS UNBEATABLETHE RALLYING CRY FOR TEAM CANADAAND SHE’S LIVING IT pic.twitter.com/zSzww3xyft— Devin Heroux (@Devin_Heroux) July 26, 2024
Céline Dion en París 2024. ESPECTACULAR. pic.twitter.com/EektWza87G— Invictos (@InvictosSomos) July 26, 2024
After everything she’s experienced, this is such a wonderful, beautiful thing to see.Celine Dion. An inspiration. pic.twitter.com/eCxDFL3ku4— Scott Bryan (@scottygb) July 26, 2024
The French-Canadian music icon closed out the ceremony with a moving performance on a platform of the Eiffel Tower after the Olympic cauldron was lit by Olympian greats from around the world. Knowing her recent medical struggles, commentator Kelly Clarkson was brought to tears watching her performance.
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