Barbara Bacchi is a French DJ and activist.
Courtesy of Getty Images
A French DJ and LGBTQ+ rights icon said he has filed a police report after receiving death threats for taking part in the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics. Where the comparison was made Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper.
Between 4-hour ceremony On Friday, drag queens and dancers posed along a long table while Barbara Bucci DJed in the center. In front of them, a figure smeared with glittery blue paint rested on a dinner plate while singing in French. Some social media users said the likeness resembled a portrait of Jesus Christ and his 12 apostles before his crucifixion, and it quickly became the target of backlash.
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, far-right French politician Marion Maréchal and Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker also condemned the spectacle. of Last Supper “These comments were shocking and offensive to Christians around the world,” Johnson said on X.
Organizers shared photos of the costume, noting that it was a reference to the Greek god Dionysus. The DJ posted a photo of his headdress before the event, describing his outfit as “Olympian Music Goddess.”
On Monday, she said she was facing “an extremely violent cyber harassment and smear campaign” for attending the ceremony. In a statement from her lawyer, Audrey Muserati, Bucci shared on Instagram: ” 2024 Paris OlympicsArtist, DJ and activist Barbara Bucci has received death, torture and rape threats, and has also been the target of numerous anti-Semitic, homophobic, sexist and grotesque insults.”
It added: “Barbara Bucci condemns this vile hatred directed at her, what she represents and what she stands for.”
Muserati said Bucci had filed “several complaints” against such actions, whether by French nationals or foreigners, and that she intended to prosecute “anyone who tries to blackmail her in the future.”
Thomas Joly, artistic director of the Olympic opening ceremony, defended the performance at a press conference on Saturday. Asked about the criticism, Jolie said he wanted to demonstrate “inclusivity.” His spokeswoman, Anne Decamps, said: “There was obviously no intention to show disrespect to any religious group. We are truly sorry if anyone was offended.”
