13 Moments You Missed From the 2024 Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony
The international event featured Lady Gaga performing and a first for Team U.S.A.
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The 2024 Paris Olympics are officially here, and we don't know about you, but we're ready to watch athletes from all around the world vie for a gold medal!
With this year's Summer Olympic Games taking place in Paris, France as well as other locations (like Tahiti, for surfing), folks are tuning in from the end of July to mid-August to see their favorite sports stars compete on an international scale. But before the competition heats up, the Olympics celebrated this unique moment of worldwide unity with the traditional opening ceremony.
From famous faces showing up to perform (like Lady Gaga nodding to French cabaret) to elements of culture and history being put on display for this year's games, the 2024 opening ceremony was a moment in time no one will forget any time soon. And this is only the beginning, as the closing ceremony on August 11 will give us a taste of what's to come in future Olympic Games.
Ready to kick off the biggest sporting event in the world? We've rounded up some key moments you may have missed during the Paris Olympics opening ceremony. Keep reading for all the highlights and interesting facts you might not know.
RELATED: How to Watch the 2024 Paris Olympics Live and Stream Online
'Wicked' Stars Walk the Red Carpet
Ahead of the opening ceremony, folks watched upcoming Wicked stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo pose for photos in front of the Eiffel Tower. The movie is set to debut in theaters on November 22, and its soon-to-be-iconic train also made its debut in Paris, celebrating the 2024 Olympics.
Kelly Clarkson Hosting the Opening Ceremony
Co-hosting the opening ceremony alongside Mike Tirico and Peyton Manning on NBC, The Kelly Clarkson Show host wore a sleek dark blue mini dress for the event.
Snoop Dogg Appeared at the Opening Ceremony
Set to help moderate the Track and Field events for NBC during the Olympics, The Voice coach appeared during the telecast wearing none other than the Team USA opening ceremony garb. He also participated in the last leg of the Olympic Torch Relay earlier in the day.
The Opening Ceremony Wasn't Held in the Stade de Paris
Instead of the 2024 Olympics being held in the city's national stadium (called the Stade de France), viewers witnessed the opening ceremony held along France's iconic Seine River and other parts of Paris.
The French Flag Was Uniquely Displayed
Ahead of the athletes coming from under the Austerlitz Bridge, the French flag was displayed in colorful smoke to kick off the opening ceremony.
The Parade of Nations Occurred on the Seine River
While the Parade of Nations usually happens in a stadium, Paris honored the city's famous mode of transportation by having the countries sail in on 94 boats.
It's important to note that the order of the boats usually go in alphabetical order of the host city's language. According to TODAY.com, the last three boats are Australia (who will host the Summer Games in Brisbane in 2032), the United States (hosting the L.A. summer games in 2028) and France.
Lady Gaga Performed at the Opening Ceremony
Confirmed to sing at the Olympic event this month, the Grammy winner performed Zizi Jeanmaire's song "Mon Truc En Plumes" in the style of a French Cabaret.
The Olympics Honored French Cabaret
Paying homage to the popular performance venues that have appeared in France since the 19th century, viewers watched a group of dancers perform along the edge of the Seine River. The group's energetic can-can dance dates back to the 1840s and was made famous in Paris' iconic Moulin Rouge.
The Olympics Honored Musical Theater Set in Paris
Throughout the opening ceremony, viewers heard snippets of iconic musicals that were set in Paris. Among the productions heard? The Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables and the opera Carmen.
French Queen Marie Antoinette Was Immortalized
Recognizing the 18th-century queen and her tragic end in the height of the French Revolution, the opening ceremony featured multiple mannequins dressed regally in various windows along the Seine River. The most recognizable part? They all had their heads chopped off.
Olympic Opening Ceremony Musical History Was Made
According to French local paper Le Parisien (per Forbes), French band Gojira made Olympic history as the first metal band to perform at any Olympics. First founded under the name "Godzilla" in 1996, the group is known for writing environmentally-themed lyrics and for their expert instrumental skills.
Peyton Manning Had an Olympic Playbook
While co-hosting the Olympic opening ceremony, folks on social media caught the former NFL star wearing a playcaller's band of the day's events on his right wrist.
Coco Gauff Made Team U.S.A. History
The 20-year-old athlete made Team U.S.A. history during the 2024 Olympics. She is the first tennis player to be a flagbearer for the opening ceremony, sharing the honor alongside NBA star LeBron James.
As the entertainment and news associate editor for Good Housekeeping, Adrianna (she/her) writes about everything TV, movies, music and pop culture. She graduated from Yeshiva University with a B.A. in journalism and a minor in business management. She covers shows like The Rookie, 9-1-1 and Grey's Anatomy, though when she’s not watching the latest show on Netflix, she’s taking martial arts or drinking way too much coffee.
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