“Controversial ‘Last Supper’ Scene Sparks Outrage at Opening Ceremony”

PARIS, France — In a landmark celebration of diversity, drag queens dominated the stage at the Paris Olympics opening ceremony along the Seine River. The event accentuated the powerful impact of the French LGBTQ+ community, while stirring debate over imagery invoking “The Last Supper.”

Global icons Celine Dion and Lady Gaga, revered within queer circles, performed. The four-hour event merged historical and contemporary French culture with kitschy extravagance. The climax featured a fleet of barges ferrying thousands of Olympians.

The drag segment included Nicky Doll from “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and “Drag Race France” personalities Paloma, Piche, and Giselle Palmer. Initially, they observed from the sidelines but later wowed the audience by joining the runway.

“Drag Race France” winner Le Filip expressed pride in the grand scale and representation of the ceremony. “It started with Lady Gaga, then drag queens, a huge rave, and a fire in the sky,” they recounted, marveling at the inclusivity shown on a global platform.

A scene alluding to Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” drew notable reactions. While some viewed it as a bold artistic choice, criticism arose, particularly from far-right figures like Marion Maréchal, who condemned the depiction as provocative.

Artistic director Thomas Jolly later stated that references to “The Last Supper” were unintentional. In contrast, Le Filip responded to the backlash with humor, regretting that detractors could not see the celebratory intent.

Inter-LGBT President James Leperlier took a more measured stance, claiming France still has much to achieve in terms of inclusivity. He highlighted ongoing challenges for the LGBTQ+ community, particularly concerning transgender rights and broader visibility in official settings.

The ceremony coincides with a resurgence in France’s drag and voguing cultures. Institutions like the Madame Arthur cabaret, one of the oldest continually running LGBTQ+ theaters, are witnessing renewed interest.

For many, particularly marginalized groups from less affluent or conservative backgrounds, drag and voguing offer safe spaces for self-expression. Despite criticism, Le Filip believes the ceremony’s message of freedom will ultimately resonate.

“The message of the show is freedom,” Le Filip asserted, suggesting the ceremony serves as a positive representation of France.

This report included contributions from Associated Press journalist John Leicester.