Lady Gaga dazzled the world stage at the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics, embodying a symphony of pink and white feathers in a breathtaking Dior Haute Couture ensemble. Her performance of "Mon Truc en Plumes" – a Zizi Jeanmarie classic, literally translated as "My Thing With Feathers" – marked a pivotal moment, as if the Olympics itself had a special bond with the global superstar.
Descending a staircase overlooking the Seine, Gaga was veiled in a veil of ethereal pink feathers, her legs the only glimpse of her grandeur, guided by a phalanx of black-clad dancers. As she gracefully made her way to the stage, the feathers retracted, revealing the superstar in all her finery, joining the dancers in a meticulously choreographed dance while belting out the timeless tune once sung by Jeanmarie on The Ed Sullivan Show.
Moments after her breathtaking performance, Gaga took to social media, weaving a tale of her deep connection to Jeanmarie and the song's significance. "I am overwhelmed with gratitude to have been entrusted with opening the Paris Olympics this year. Even more humbling is the honor bestowed by the Olympic Committee to sing such a cherished French song, a homage to the nation's rich tapestry of art, music, and theater," she captioned on Instagram and X.
She delved into the life of Jeanmarie – a French ballet dancer, actress, and singer whose stage name, Zizi, resonates with elegance and grace. Gaga spoke of her admiration for the French culture and music, stating, "Though not a French artist, I've always felt a profound connection with the French people and their music. I yearned to create a performance that would envelop France in warmth, celebrating its artistic heritage and, on this historic occasion, remind the world of Paris's enchantment."
To bring her vision to life, Gaga's team procured pom-poms from Le Lido archive, a storied French cabaret theater. Dior crafted custom costumes adorned with naturally molted feathers, ensuring no harm came to any bird in the making of these masterpieces. The ensemble showcased a bustier, black satin panties, a Dior headdress, gloves, and shoes, all meticulously designed to accentuate Gaga's performance.
"I immersed myself in French choreography, infusing a contemporary spin into a timeless French classic," Gaga revealed. "I trained relentlessly, revisiting my dancing roots, recalling the 60s French parties on the Lower East Side where I first danced my heart out. I hope you cherish this performance as much as I do. To the people of France, thank you for welcoming me to your shores to sing in your honor – a memory I'll cherish forever! To the athletes, congratulations on your journey to the Olympics. It's my utmost privilege to sing for you and cheer you on! The Olympics always evoke tears of joy at the sheer brilliance of human talent. Let the games commence!"
