Entertainment
Lady Gaga, Celine Dion, and Aya Nakamura to perform at Paris Olympics opening
While the official line-up remains a closely guarded secret, three performers are widely speculated to be part of the event
Paris: Renowned stars are set to perform at the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics, which will take place along the Seine River on Friday.
While the official line-up remains a closely guarded secret, three performers are widely speculated to be part of the event:
Lady Gaga
One of the top-selling artists globally, Lady Gaga, known for her extravagant showmanship and vibrant costumes, is anticipated to perform. Born Stefani Germanotta, she is famous for her infectious electropop beats and dramatic performances. Lady Gaga won an Oscar for "Shallow," a song she co-wrote for the 2018 film "A Star is Born." In the film, she also performed the iconic "La Vie en rose" by French legend Edith Piaf, whose songs are expected to be featured in the Olympic ceremony. Recently, Lady Gaga was spotted arriving at a hotel in Paris ahead of the event.
Her expected appearance at the Olympics coincides with a busy year. She announced her return to the studio to work on a new album and is also set to appear as Harley Quinn in the upcoming "Joker" movie, premiering at the Venice Film Festival in late August. Reflecting on the power of music, Lady Gaga once said, “Music is one of the most powerful things the world has to offer. No matter what race or religion or nationality or sexual orientation or gender that you are, it has the power to unite us.”
Celine Dion
Canadian superstar Celine Dion is rumored to make a comeback after battling a rare illness, as highlighted in a recent documentary. She has been seen taking selfies with fans in Paris throughout the week. Sources suggest she might perform Piaf’s stirring love anthem "Hymne A l’Amour" at the ceremony. If she performs, it will be her second Olympic appearance since the 1996 Atlanta Games.
Dion, who revealed her diagnosis of Stiff Person Syndrome in December 2022, has vowed to return to the stage despite her condition. She told NBC in June, “I’m going to go back onstage, even if I have to crawl. Even if I have to talk with my hands, I will. I will.” Over her decades-long career, Dion has sold over 250 million albums and won two Grammys for her rendition of "My Heart Will Go On," the theme song from the 1997 film "Titanic."
Aya Nakamura
Franco-Malian R&B sensation Aya Nakamura, 29, is currently the most listened-to French-speaking singer in the world, with seven billion streams online. Known for hits like "Djadja" and "Pookie," Nakamura has faced criticism from right-wing activists over her potential Olympic performance.
The backlash followed reports that she had discussed performing a song by Piaf with President Emmanuel Macron.
Although neither party confirmed this, Macron publicly supported Nakamura for the Olympic ceremony. Critics from far-right and conservative circles have accused her of "vulgarity" and disrespecting the French language in her lyrics.
Born Aya Danioko in Bamako, Mali, she moved to the Paris suburbs as a child. In a 2020 interview, Nakamura stated her music explores “feelings of love in all their aspects” and emphasized, “I have made my own musical universe and that is what I am most proud of. I make the music I like, even if people try to pigeon-hole me.”