Olympics 2024 'Last Supper' Drag Performer Threatens To Sue Critics As More Celebs Defend Opening Ceremony
The 2024 Paris Olympics is well underway, but it hasn't been without any controversy. In fact, the games' opening ceremony is a hot topic over its alleged portrayal of "The Last Supper."
The scene in question showed a group of drag queens, French actor Philippe Katerine and DJ Barbara Butch artistically interpreting what seemed to be "The Last Supper," a sacred account in Christianity wherein Jesus shared a final meal with his disciples before his death. It also marks the institution of the sacrament of Holy Communion.
Butch, who seemingly portrayed Jesus Christ in the segment, has since been the target of outrage from critics who found the moment on the Debilly Bridge disrespectful, disappointing and a mockery of Leonardo da Vinci's "The Last Supper" painting.
In a statement from her lawyer, the self-proclaimed "love activist" has been the "target of an extremely violent campaign of cyber-harassment and defamation" over the opening ceremony moment. The DJ, producer and artist also threatened to sue anyone who will continue to "intimidate her."
"Barbara Butch condemns this vile hatred directed at her, what she represents, and what she stands for," the statement read, per The Daily Beast.
"She is today filing several complaints against these acts, whether committed by French nationals or foreigners and intends to prosecute anyone who tries to intimidate her in the future."
Butch isn't the only one who thinks people are overreacting over the controversial scene. Several celebrities have also defended the Olympic games.
"If you are not happy with something and it bothers you, don't take 20 hours to write an email. Just turn the TV off. Watch something else," Whoopi Goldberg said on "The View" Monday.
"Full House" actress Jodie Sweetin also argued that the section of the ceremony was an art moment rather than a religious one.
"Tell me you don't know about art or history without TELLING me you don't know about art or history," Sweetin posted in an Instagram Story alongside a video mocking the people's reactions.
Paris Olympics organizers have since apologized to those offended by the performance. They also clarified that the depiction was of the Greek god Dionysus and a festival meant to honor him, not of "The Last Supper."
