Despite a rainy Friday evening that soaked the Seine, Lady Gaga emerged as the highlight of the 2024 Summer Olympics’ opening ceremonies in Paris.
The downpour didn’t dampen the impact of Gaga’s dazzling performance of Zizi Jeanmaire’s “Mon Truc en Plumes” (“My Thing With Feathers”), which, to avoid weather-related mishaps, was pre-recorded. This decision was made by Maud le Pladec, the choreographer and head of dance for the Olympics and Paralympics, who spoke with Variety about the meticulous preparations.
Le Pladec revealed that Gaga’s performance was filmed earlier in the day to ensure safety due to the anticipated rain. While Gaga sang live on a grand set of stairs alongside dancers wielding oversized pom poms, the actual performance was captured in advance. Le Pladec described Gaga’s four-minute routine as the most artistically demanding among the dozen original acts created by Le Pladec and Olympics artistic director Thomas Jolly.
The decision to pre-record was made after closely monitoring weather updates, as the wet conditions posed a risk, particularly on the slippery stage. Although Gaga’s live singing wasn’t part of the ceremony’s broadcast, she was present at the venue and watched her performance from her dressing room.
She later expressed her gratitude on X, highlighting her deep connection with French culture and her enthusiasm for honoring France through her performance.
Gaga’s team collaborated with a French cabaret theater for the pom poms, worked with Dior on custom feather costumes, and she immersed herself in French choreography to blend classic and contemporary elements. Le Pladec praised Gaga’s commitment to creating an authentic French-inspired show, noting her dedication to both the artistic and technical aspects of her performance. Gaga’s attention to detail and rigorous preparation were evident in her approach, which included rehearsing extensively with Paris-based dancers.