The Paris Olympics opening ceremony on Friday featured a performance so unconventional it captured global attention. Amidst the rain-soaked festivities, a semi-naked blue man lying on a giant fruit platter became one of the event’s most memorable moments. This curious figure was none other than Philippe Katerine, a French singer and actor known for his eccentric style.
Katerine, 55, rose to fame in France in the 2000s with his catchy dance track “Louxor, j’adore.” His performance at the Olympics saw him adorned in nothing but blue paint, gold dust, and strategically placed foliage, all while floating serenely down the River Seine. As he sang “Nu” (“Naked”), social media users couldn’t help but draw comparisons to Smurfs and Avatars.
Je pense au millard de téléspectateurs hors France qui vient de découvrir Philippe Katerine peint en bleu et en slibard ce soir pic.twitter.com/T18r2m3U3U
— Scipion (@Scipionista) July 26, 2024
The performance, according to the media guide, was inspired by Dionysus, the Greek god of wine and revelry. Dionysus is often associated with the themes of festivity and chaos, which Katerine aimed to echo with his song addressing the “absurdity of violence between human beings.”
Katerine’s choice of blue paint, though intriguing, was not explained by the classical imagery of Dionysus, who is rarely depicted in such hues. The surreal and provocative nature of Katerine’s act led to a flurry of reactions on social media, with many French viewers both amused and bewildered by the spectacle.
One user on X reflected, “I’m thinking of the billion viewers outside France who have just seen Philippe Katerine painted blue and scantily clad. How do we explain this concept to the rest of the world?” Another commented, “1 billion people discovering Philippe Katerine in this way—that’s my France.”
The unusual performance undeniably left a lasting impression, showcasing the bold and unpredictable nature of the Paris Olympics opening ceremony.