The headless Marie Antoinette from the 2024 Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony performance by French heavy metal band Gojira became viral online.
The head-bangin’ foursome made history on July 26 at the Conciergerie on the banks of the Seine river, with a fierce rendition of “Ah! Ça Ira,” a song popularized during the French Revolution. They were the first heavy metal band to perform at an Olympic Opening Ceremony.
Their performance not only dazzled the city with fireworks, but it also made heads turn when a performer costumed like a beheaded Marie Antoinette suddenly appeared on screen and began to sing.
“Y’all the Olympics just took off Marie Antoinette’s head while playing French metal music?” A viewer posted on what was once known as Twitter, X. “This is the craziest s–t I’ve ever seen.”
In the meantime, a different social media user made a joke, saying, “One thing about the French, they’re gonna remind you they guillotined tf out of Marie Antoinette in the name of liberation.”
And that, in frontman Joe Duplantier of Gojira said, was the whole idea.
He described the French Revolution to the New York Times prior to the Opening Ceremony, saying, “It was a very bloody era of French history, so it was very metal.”
Actually, Joe was determined to leave a lasting impression. Joe plays in the band with his brother Mario Duplantier, Christian Andreu, and Jean-Michel Labadie.
The 47-year-old continued, explaining that he felt compelled to represent “the whole metal community on the world stage,” and that the show is supposed to be “in your face.”
However, Gojira wasn’t the only musician generating excitement on the internet. With a seductive rendition of Zizi Jeanmaire’s “Mon Truc En Plumes”—complete with pink, frilly pom-poms—Lady Gaga channeled the Moulin Rouge, while Céline Dion triumphantly returned to music following a protracted battle with stiff-person syndrome.
The “My Heart Will Go On” singer performed Édith Piaf’s “Hymne à L’Amour” from the Eiffel Tower balcony to end the program. It was such a moving moment that NBC Olympics coverage pundit Kelly Clarkson started crying in front of the camera.
Following the performance, Céline posted on Instagram, saying, “I’m so happy to be celebrating these amazing athletes, with all their stories of sacrifice and determination, pain and perseverance.” “All of you have been so focused on your dream, and whether or not you take home a medal, I hope that being here means that it has come true for you!”
See all the incredible moments from the Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony by continuing to read.
Red, White and Blue
In observance of the French flag, the Opening Ceremony stands and the Eiffel Tower are lit up in various colors.
Burning Bright
Following its lighting at the 2024 Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony, the Olympic Cauldron takes to the air.
Iconic Night
With a stirring performance atop the Eiffel Tower, Céline Dion brings the concert to a close.
