American pop star Stefani Germanotta, known as Lady Gaga, cherished her unforgettable performance at the Paris Olympic Games opening ceremony.
Gaga dazzled the audience with a rendition of the French cabaret classic, "Mon Truc en Plumes" by Zizi Jeanmaire, from the base of the Eiffel Tower on Friday.
In a statement released via V, Gaga detailed the meticulous efforts by her and her team to deliver the iconic performance. She expressed profound gratitude to the French people for the chance to perform at the Olympics, calling it "a gift" she would always remember.
“I feel so completely grateful to have been asked to open the Paris Olympics 2024 this year. I am also humbled to be asked by the Olympics organizing committee to sing such a special French song—a song to honor the French people and their tremendous history of art, music, and theatre,” Gaga stated.
She highlighted the significance of "Mon Truc en Plumes," originally sung by Paris-born ballerina Zizi Jeanmaire in 1961. Gaga noted that Jeanmaire had starred in Cole Porter's musical "Anything Goes," which was her first jazz release.
Though not French herself, Gaga expressed a deep connection with the French people and their music. “We rented pom-poms from Le Lido archive—a real French cabaret theater. We collaborated with Dior to create custom costumes, using naturally molted feathers,” she said.
Gaga added that she studied French choreography with a modern twist on the classic dance, reminiscing about her early days dancing at 60’s French parties in New York. She hoped the audience would enjoy the performance as much as she did.
“To everyone in France, thank you so much for welcoming me to your country to sing in honor of you—it’s a gift I’ll never forget! Congratulations to all the athletes competing in this year’s Olympic Games! It is my supreme honor to sing for you and cheer you on!” Gaga concluded.
