Entertainment
Controversy Erupts Over Drag Queen Parody of The Last Supper at Olympics
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The opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics took a surprising turn as a drag queen-themed parody of Leonardo da Vinci‘s iconic painting, ‘The Last Supper,’ stole the spotlight. This bold performance has quickly become a hot topic, sparking both outrage and debate on social media.
The show featured around 18 performers setting the scene with the Seine River and the Eiffel Tower in the background. Among them were three popular queens from Drag Race France. At the center of the group was an elaborately dressed performer, sporting a large silver headdress that resembled a halo. With a bright smile, she posed with her hands shaped into a heart before launching into a choreographed dance routine.
While some viewed the performance as a creative reinterpretation, others found it downright disrespectful. Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur, chimed in on the controversy, stating that the performance was “extremely disrespectful to Christians.” French politician Marion Marechal echoed similar sentiments, suggesting that the act was a provocation from a small left-wing minority.
Bishop Robert Barron from Minnesota didn’t hold back either, branding the performance a “gross mockery of the Last Supper.” He described it as representative of a secular society that often views Christianity as its adversary. Other religious leaders, like Bishop Donald Hying, urged Catholics to come together in prayer and fasting in response to the parody.
Amid the uproar, Bishop Daniel Flores of Texas expressed his deep discomfort, stating that he lacked the words to articulate his feeling about the performance. This sentiment was shared by many, including people from different faiths. One Jewish individual expressed anger over the performance, calling it an outrageous insult to both Jesus and Christianity.
Political figures, such as Senator Marco Rubio, also reacted, labeling the ceremony a “freak show” and quoting scripture to emphasize his point about the disrespect shown towards Christian values.
With the Olympics ongoing until August 11, the controversy surrounding the opening ceremony seems far from over, as discussions about its impact on Christian communities and cultural values continue to unfold.