The secret is still well kept a few hours before the start of the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games. If the presence of Aya Nakamura is confirmed, stars from across the Atlantic could also perform on the Seine.
It is the best kept secret of the Olympic Games. The twelve tableaux of the opening ceremony are kept secret by the organization of the Games. In an interview given to the ParisianThierry Reboul, director of ceremonies, assures that the surprise must be preserved, and that very little information circulates, including internally, to avoid any leaks. The singers and dancers only know the information that concerns them and no rehearsals in costume or on the Seine have been organized. “We are not NASA either, but we are very careful. If we do a partial presentation, we immediately overwrite the file,” explains Thierry Reboul.
Who to sing?
We do know the identity of one of the singers who will perform on the Parisian river. After rumors and racist controversies, Aya Nakamura should be present for this global event, alongside some 10,500 athletes who will parade on the boats of each delegation. While she should perform two of her hits, Djadja and Pookie, the star should not tackle the songs of Edith Piaf as has been suggested, but rather another monument of French song: Charles Aznavour. Her performance could take place on the Pont des Arts. The Parisian And franceinfo also argue that it should be accompanied by the Republican Guard.
But the two names that have generated the most buzz in recent days are those of two other international stars who seem to have crossed the Atlantic for the occasion. Both spotted this week in the City of Lights, the Canadian Celine Dion and American Lady Gaga could well use their vocal cords this Friday evening on the banks of the Seine in Paris! Rumors have it that Celine Dion could perform Édith Piaf’s Hymn to Love, while Lady Gaga could be entrusted with La Vie en Rose. Let us recall that his performance in the film A Star is Born had been particularly praised by critics a few years ago.
In an article published 48 hours before the event, The Parisian indicates that the director Thomas Jolly has managed to bring together the three singers for the big show planned along the Seine and then around the Champ de Mars. Juliette Armanet, for her part, should be accompanied by the pianist Sofiane Pamart, as revealed by L’Équipe, before Le Parisien confirmed the information on Wednesday evening. The Franco-Swiss opera singer Marina Viotti could for her part deliver an original performance with the rock metal group Gojira, originally from Landes. Announced “in the simplest attire under an enormous bell”, Philippe Katerine should not however sing. The name of Cerrone has also been mentioned. According to the newspaper L’Équipe, the opening ceremony will welcome “at least one international artist (who) should also perform a French song on the theme of music hall”. Finally, two star dancers from the Opera could perform this Friday, July 26. Only one certainty at this stage, the show, which should last 3 hours and 45 minutes, promises to be full of surprises.
Animation entrusted to Laurent Delahousse
For those who will not be lucky enough to be able to attend the opening ceremony on the banks of the Seine, it will be broadcast all over the world. In France, the broadcast of the images is reserved for Eurosport and France 2. Thierry Reboul confides that Laurent Delahousse will host the evening. The face of the 8 p.m. news on France 2 will be accompanied by a co-host whose identity is still unknown.
Nearly two billion viewers are expected to watch the show live around the world. It will be produced by OBS, the IOC subsidiary that oversees the coverage of the Olympic Games. According to information from Le Parisien, British director Simon Staffurth will be at the helm, having already officiated in Rio in 2016, Pyeongchang in 2018, Tokyo in 2021 and Beijing in 2022. He was also the one who directed the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.