Lady Gaga breaks silence on Olympic opening ceremony performance after sound issues and viewer complaints

Lady Gaga has shared her appreciation with the organisers of the 2024 Paris Olympics for inviting her to perform at the opening ceremony.

The singer and House of Gucci star, 38, was one of the many celebrities to join in the celebrations - which even included Snoop Dogg carrying the Olympic torch - as the French capital pulled off a world first by hosting the opening ceremony along the banks of the river Seine.

Gaga brushed off her French language skills for the performance, singing a rendition of 'Mon Truc en Plumes' complete with pink pom-poms, dancers and a set of golden steps installed alongside the banks of the river.

(Maja Hitij/Getty Images)

Following the performance, the 'Pokerface' hitmaker took to social media to share her appreciation at being asked to perform, penning a lengthy statement of gratitude on X.

"I feel so completely grateful to have been asked to open the Paris @Olympics

2024 this year," she began.

"I am also humbled to be asked by the Olympics organising committee to sing such a special French song—a song to honour the French people and their tremendous history of art, music, and theatre. This song was sung by Zizi Jeanmaire, born in Paris a French ballerina, she famously sang 'Mon Truc en Plumes' in 1961."

Gaga went on to explain that the song's title translated to 'My Thing with Feathers' (which explains her choice in props) and added that she has previously crossed paths with the late ballerina, who died in 2020.

Gaga also addressed the reaction to her being picked to perform over a French artist, saying that she has always felt a 'special connection' to French culture.

"Although I am not a French artist, I have always felt a very special connection with French people and singing French music—I wanted nothing more than to create a performance that would warm the heart of France, celebrate French art and music, and on such a momentous occasion remind everyone of one of the most magical cities on earth—Paris," she continued.

(ARIS MESSINIS/AFP via Getty Images)

"To everyone in France, thank you so much for welcoming me to your country to sing in honour of you—it’s a gift I’ll never forget! Congratulations to all the athletes who are competing in this year’s Olympic Games! It is my supreme honour to sing for you and cheer you on!!

"Watching the Olympic Games always makes me cry! Your talent is unimaginable. Let the games begin!"

Fans were divided by the decision to have Gaga perform at the ceremony, with some viewers praising her ability to sing in a foreign language, while others wondered why a French singer wasn't selected.

(X/ @ladygaga)

"Does France not have any singers? Why is lady gaga the best choice for singing in french," one person questioned on social media, while a second added: "Personally, I think that having Lady Gaga singing for you when she's not French, is cheating."

"I don't know if Lady Gaga sings French or if she sings in Sims language..." a third summarised brutally.

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