The ‘blue man’ at this year’s opening ceremony defends memorable Olympic moment

Saskya Vandoorne and Ben Church, CNN

(CNN) — It was 1 of nan much memorable moments of arguably nan astir unsocial opening ceremonial successful history, but 1 that has sparked contention astir nan world.

The segment successful mobility has been described by immoderate critics arsenic a parody of “The Last Supper” and 1 which featured resistance artists and aggregate dancers.

The capacity and segment successful mobility besides included Philippe Katerine, a French entertainer who featured arsenic nan Greek deity of vino Dionysus and quickly became known arsenic nan “semi-naked bluish guy.”

In nan scene, Katerine sang a opus while lying connected a table, seemingly without apparel and covered head-to-toe successful glittery bluish paint.

His quality went viral connected societal media, watched by millions of group astir nan world. In an question and reply pinch CNN, Katerine said his opus “Nue” – aliases “Naked” – was a connection for peace, inspired by war, specified arsenic those successful Gaza and Ukraine.

“Would location person been wars if we’d stayed naked? The reply is possibly not because you can’t hide a weapon aliases a dagger erstwhile you’re naked,” he said.

“So you’ve sewage this thought of harmlessness erstwhile it comes to nan naked man. And nan thought of nan origins of nan Olympic Games successful Greece, which are represented coming because erstwhile you spot paintings, they’re of naked athletes too, besides pinch nan thought that they can’t transportation weapons erstwhile they’re naked.

“This was besides nan thought down nan origins of nan Olympic Games. So location I came, simply, to singing this song.”

Olympic organizers person since apologized for nan segment aft it was criticized by nan Catholic religion and Christian groups.

The French Catholic Church said nan festivities “included scenes of derision and insult of Christianity.”

Paris 2024 spokesperson Anne Descamps later said location was “clearly ne'er an volition to show disrespect to immoderate belief group,” while nan head of nan opening ceremony, Thomas Jolly, insisted that “The Last Supper” – a mural painted by Renaissance creator Leonardo da Vinci – wasn’t nan inspiration down nan scene.

Katerine said he was “deeply sorry” if his quality shocked group but confirmed it was ne'er his volition and nan fallout has been driven by a “misunderstanding.”

“I was brought up arsenic a Christian and nan champion point astir Christianity is forgiveness. For me, it’s nan astir beautiful point location is: forgiveness,” he added.

“So I inquire for forgiveness if I person offended anyone, and nan Christians of nan world will assistance maine that, I’m sure, and will understand that it was mostly a misunderstanding. Because erstwhile it comes down to it, it wasn’t astir representing ‘the Last Supper’ astatine all.”

Katerine quickly became alert of disapproval and said he re-watched his capacity to activity retired why group would beryllium upset.

“I saw thing very colorful, reconciliatory and peaceful,” he said, adding he was near “surprised.”

The vocalist said it was nan first clip he had sung nan opus and was disappointment nan International Olympic Committee (IOC) had refused to usage subtitles, starring successful part, he says, to nan disorder that followed.

Despite receiving disapproval from some, Katerine was besides praised for creating 1 of nan lasting memories from nan lavish ceremony.

He said it took 3 make-up artists 3 hours to create his glittery bluish look. His image besides required a full-body wax – dedication indeed.

“On stage, I’m ever very, very happy to execute and show off, wrong nan limits of reason, of course,” he said.

“But successful life, I’m very awkward and for illustration to hide and observe others without being seen. That’s what I prefer. So it’s existent that it amuses maine to spot myself for illustration this, but location you person it.”