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Lady Gaga's electrifying performance at the 2024 Summer Olympics was a remarkable yet "dangerous" endeavor. The 38-year-old superstar captivated the audience at the opening ceremony on Friday, July 26, with a dynamic dance down a golden staircase along the Seine River in Paris. She performed a stirring rendition of Zizi Jeanmaire's "Mon Truc en Plumes." Despite the seamless execution, choreographer Maud le Pladec, who spent months preparing with Gaga for the Olympic opener, revealed to Variety that the show was nearly canceled due to inclement weather.
"We had to pre-record the performance in the afternoon when it became clear that rain was inevitable," le Pladec explained in a recent interview, noting the team's reliance on "minute-by-minute updates." She added, "We monitored the weather forecast more closely than ever before. Even a few drops of rain could have made the performance too hazardous. [Gaga] was determined to perform live, so we opted to pre-record instead of canceling."
Even with these precautions, Gaga, accompanied by a troupe of dancers, performed live on Friday, singing, dancing, and playing the piano. She wore a stunning Dior Haute Couture ensemble, complete with a black feather jacket, matching satin bustier, and heels.
Le Pladec highlighted several potential risks had the performance gone ahead in the rain. "The ground would have been slippery, she was in heels, near the water, and there were stairs," she said. "We had to be extremely cautious."
Gaga's performance will be remembered as the first to open the 2024 Summer Games and the first opening ceremony held outside a stadium. Reflecting on the historic moment, Gaga shared her gratitude in a heartfelt social media post, calling it "a gift I'll never forget."
"I am deeply honored to have been asked to open the Paris @Olympics 2024," she wrote. "I'm humbled to perform such a meaningful French song, celebrating the rich heritage of French art, music, and theatre. Although I am not French, I have always felt a special connection with the French people and their music. My aim was to create a performance that would warm the heart of France and celebrate French culture on this grand occasion."
Gaga also shared her dedication to perfecting the performance, saying, "I studied French choreography and rehearsed tirelessly. I hope you love this performance as much as I do. To everyone in France, thank you for welcoming me and allowing me to sing in your honor—it's a gift I'll never forget!"
Capping off her celebratory weekend, Gaga announced her engagement to longtime boyfriend Michael Polansky to French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal at the Olympics. In a TikTok video posted by Attal on Sunday, July 28, Gaga can be heard introducing Polansky as "my fiancé" while the trio watched a swimming event together.
