Despite a downpour over Paris on Friday night, Lady Gaga's captivating performance stole the show during the 2024 Summer Olympics opening ceremony. The singer's rendition of Zizi Jeanmaire's iconic "Mon Truc en Plumes" was a visual feast, featuring a giant set of stairs, dancers with oversized pom poms, and Gaga herself in a stunning costume. However, the performance was actually pre-recorded earlier in the day due to safety concerns related to the rain.
Maud le Pladec, choreographer and head of dance for the Olympics and Paralympics, revealed that the decision to pre-record Gaga's performance was made due to safety concerns. The rain made the performance surface too slippery for Gaga, who was wearing high heels, and the risk was deemed too high for a live performance.
"We had to be extremely cautious," le Pladec explained, adding that Gaga was on-site for the ceremony and watched her performance from her dressing room before heading back to her hotel.
Gaga herself expressed her enthusiasm for the opportunity, stating on social media that she felt a "very special connection with French people and singing French music." She also highlighted the meticulous planning behind her performance, mentioning the specially designed costumes made by Dior and the pom poms rented from a "real French cabaret" theater's archive.
"I rehearsed tirelessly to study a joyful French dance, brushing up on some old skills," Gaga wrote, adding that she hoped the performance would "warm the heart of France."
Le Pladec praised Gaga's dedication to the performance, calling her a "workhorse and a perfectionist" who worked tirelessly to ensure a spectacle that was "authentic" and paid tribute to the French performance tradition.
The singer's dedication to creating a performance "à la Française" extended beyond the opening ceremony. Over the weekend, Gaga surprised her French fans by playing two new songs from her upcoming seventh studio album from her limousine while dancing on the roof. The details of these new songs remain shrouded in secrecy.
Lady Gaga's performance at the 2024 Summer Olympics opening ceremony was a triumphant moment, despite the less-than-ideal weather conditions. The singer's dedication to the performance, her meticulous attention to detail, and her captivating stage presence left a lasting impression on the audience, setting the tone for a memorable Olympic Games.
