French President Emmanuel Macron expressed strong disapproval on Friday over the cyberbullying directed at Thomas Jolly, the choreographer for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games opening ceremony. Macron described the attacks as “outrageous” and praised Jolly’s “audacity” in crafting the ceremony, affirming that France took pride in the artistic expression showcased.
“The French were very proud of this ceremony,” Macron stated during a visit to Paris Olympics volunteers. “France demonstrated its audacity through the artistic freedom it embraced.”
Support from Paris Mayor Amidst Threats and Complaints
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo also extended her support to Jolly, lauding his contributions to the event. In a statement, Hidalgo emphasized Jolly’s role in showcasing Paris’s values and culture.
“It was a pride and an honor for Paris to count on his talent to highlight our city and represent who we are,” Hidalgo said. “Paris will always stand with artists, creativity, and, by extension, freedom.”
Jolly filed a police complaint earlier this week following the opening ceremony, reporting death threats, “public insults,” and “defamation.” According to prosecutors, Jolly has been targeted with hostile messages criticizing his sexual orientation and falsely attributing Israeli roots to him. The investigation is being handled by France’s Central Office for Combating Crimes Against Humanity and Hate Crimes.
LGBTQ+ activist and French DJ Barbara Butch, who also participated in the ceremony, has lodged a similar complaint concerning cyberbullying and threats.
Controversy Over Ceremony Scenes
Despite widespread acclaim, the ceremony faced backlash from some quarters due to a scene perceived as echoing “The Last Supper.” The segment featured drag queens, a transgender model, and a performer dressed as Dionysus, the Greek god of wine. This portrayal sparked criticism from the Catholic Church, far-right politicians in France, and conservative groups in the United States.
Paris 2024 organizers and Jolly have clarified that the intention was not to disrespect religious beliefs but to represent a pagan feast linked to the gods of Olympus.
“I am outraged and sad,” Macron said regarding the threats and harassment directed at Jolly and others involved. “Nothing justifies threats against an artist.”xt
