A drag queen, who played a pivotal role as one of the torchbearers for the Paris Olympics, responded to criticism surrounding the opening ceremony that seemed to parody the Last Supper.
Nicky Doll was not only among those carrying the Olympic flame but also performed in one of the ceremony’s segments. Doll took to Instagram Stories to clarify that the image in question was not a representation of the Last Supper but rather the feast of Dionysius.
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Nicky Doll at the Magnum “Wherever Pleasure Takes You” Red Carpet during the 77th Cannes Film Festival at Magnum Beach on May 16, 2024 in Cannes, France. (Andreas Rentz/Getty Images)
“The opening ceremony did create some waves… and I LOVE it,” Doll expressed on Instagram Stories on Monday morning. “Why? Because the Olympics represent the largest stage globally, and the LGBTQ+ community has always been onlookers to others’ journeys and accomplishments. It’s high time that we are embraced in this sphere.”
On Sunday, Doll praised the opportunity to perform during the opening ceremony.
“It was an absolute privilege to perform before billions of people worldwide and honor our Olympians,” Doll added in his post.
“And to those whose feathers were ruffled by seeing queerness on their screens: WE AIN’T GOING NOWHERE.”
A close-up of the Olympic flame during a torch relay on the opening day of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on July 26, 2024, in Paris. (Annice Lyn/Getty Images)
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The segment of the ceremony appeared to evoke the Last Supper, famously painted by Leonardo da Vinci. The performance featured drag queens, a transgender model, and a naked singer styled as the Greek god Dionysus.
Anne Descamps, spokesperson for Paris 2024, addressed the matter on Sunday.
“It was never our intention to offend any religious group. (The opening ceremony) aimed to celebrate community acceptance,” Descamps stated to reporters via Reuters.
“We believe that goal has been met. If anyone found the performance offensive, we sincerely apologize.”
Another leader in the French LGBTQ community expressed that the ceremony could have done more.
“In the LGBTQ community in France, we recognize that there remains a significant distance from what was portrayed in the ceremony. Progress is still needed in society regarding transgender individuals. It’s unacceptable that they must undergo trials to legally change their identity,” stated Inter-LGBT President James Leperlier.
A view of the Olympic Cauldron from The Louvre, as the Olympic Flame burns, floating tied to a balloon over the Tuileries Garden during the inaugural day of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on July 27, 2024. (Adnan Farzat/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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“If you observed the opening ceremony last night, you might assume this is typical, but it’s not. France aimed to illustrate what it could be instead of what it actually is.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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