The actor was part of a highly-controversial opening ceremony on Friday.
The ‘naked blue man’ who starred in the bizarre Last Supper parody at the Olympic opening ceremony in Paris on Friday has broken his silence on the controversial performance.
Phillippe Katerine, a French actor and singer, was hired by the organising committee to play the role of the Greek god of wine Dionysus in a recreation of the famous biblical scene of Jesus Christ and his twelve apostles sharing a last meal before the crucifixion.
This scene was one of several depictions of biblical events included in Friday’s opening ceremony show, which took place along the banks of the River Seine in the French capital.
A group of transgender individuals depicted the iconic scene of Jesus Christ and his disciples at the Last Supper, while heavy metal band Gojira included a headless woman in their set, apparently representative of the former Queen of France Marie Antoinette who was beheaded in 1793.
Many viewers were offended and disturbed by these elements, and took to social media to describe them as ‘anti-Christian’ and ‘satanic’.
A prominent Catholic Bishop branded the stunt as a “gross mockery” and posed the question: “Would they ever have dared mock Islam in a similar way?”
Now, in an interview with French network BFM TV, Katerine has taken the opportunity to dismiss the critics.
“It wouldn’t be fun if there were no controversy,” he said. “Wouldn’t it be boring if everyone agreed on this planet?”
While Katerine clearly views the backlash as an overreaction, others on social media labelled the performance as ‘satanic’.
The comments were referencing the inclusion of heavy metal band Gojira to the bill, whose performance depicted a rather terrifying-looking lady in red who was holding her own head in her hands.
One X user wrote: “The opening ceremony of the Olympics is not even hiding the satanic rituals anymore.
“There is no longer anything hidden in plain sight. These are the demonic dark forces of Satan who want to eclipse the light.”
Another wrote: “Dear Normies, You’re probably sat at home, watching the French Olympics thinking what the actual **** is this.
“Well it’s just another a conspiracy playing out in front of your very eyes.”
They added: “The one where we tell you – the World is run by satanic globalists who control everything. These people do very strange sick things & openly worship Satan or a brand of.
“They love showing this fact off. Do you see it yet? They’re not even hiding it.”
Even highly-controversial social media influencer Andrew Tate got in on the act.
Satanists control the west and they show you that they worship the devil.
— Andrew Tate (@Cobratate) July 26, 2024
It’s not a conspiracy theory.
They literally show you.
Are you blind?
pic.twitter.com/6Je43Pa78n
He shared a clip of the performance, along with the caption: “Satanists control the west and they show you that they worship the devil.
“It’s not a conspiracy theory. They literally show you. Are you blind?”
BBC presenter Clare Balding described the show as ‘weird and wonderful’, referencing what was the first time an opening ceremony hadn’t taken place in a stadium as the majority of the show took place on the river Seine.
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The city’s landmarks took centre stage as the athletes sailed down the river on 85 boats as the rain hammered down.
The four hour show, which was opened by Lady Gaga, was interjected with the journey of the Olympic torch as it made its way through the capital until a series of French athletes past and present lit up a floating cauldron.
Though much of the show divided opinion amongst viewers and pundits alike, they were united on one key moment – Celine Dion.
It was the first time the Canadian had performed in public since beginning her battle with Stiff Person Syndrome.
Dion stood on the Eiffel Tower and delivered a powerful and very moving rendition of Edith Piaf’s L’Hymne A L’Amour.
