Topline
The Paris officials said Friday that police have opened an investigation into death threats against the artistic director behind the opening ceremony of the summer Olympics, a development that comes after conservative and religious leaders around the world blasted Thomas Jolly for a short skit they say resembled Leonardo Da Vinci’s famous “Last Supper” painting and said was “extremely disrespectful to Christians.”
Social media influencer Andrew Tate gestures during a protest decrying a segment of the Paris … [+]
Key Facts
Police in Paris said they have opened a hate speech investigation after Jolly made a complaint to prosecutors Tuesday about the amount of death threats he’s received since last Friday’s opening ceremony, multiple outlets reported.
Jolly told police he has been “the target of threatening messages and insults on social networks criticizing his sexual orientation and his wrongly-assumed Israeli roots.”
Barbara Butch, the lesbian activist and LGBTQ+ icon who anchored the controversial skit, has also received threats that are being investigated for online abuse and harassment, according to France 24.
Get Forbes Breaking News Text Alerts: We’re launching text message alerts so you’ll always know the biggest stories shaping the day’s headlines. Text “Alerts” to (201) 335-0739 or sign up here.
Key Background
Conversation surrounding the Olympic opening ceremony in Paris quickly turned controversial last week after Butch donned a silver, halo-like headdress in a skit while seated in the center of a table with drag artists on a footbridge, while parading athletes floated underneath on the Seine. Butch was seated at the center of a long table, as Jesus is in Da Vinci’s “The Last Supper,” and the others artists surround her, which critics said drew similarities to the gathering of the 12 apostles the night before Jesus’ crucifixion in the famous painting. Organizers said the skit was not inspired by Christianity but instead was an “interpretation of the Greek God [of wine and festivity]
Dionysus.” Anne Descamps, a spokesperson for the Paris games, days later apologized to anyone who was offended and said there was “never an intention to show disrespect to any religious group.”
DJ Barbara Butch poses for a photo before the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, … [+]
Chief Critics
Despite the claims the scene was based on Greek mythology, not “The Last Supper,” conservative and religious leaders were quick to criticize. Former President Donald Trump called the ceremony a “disgrace.” Hollywood conservatives, including Rob Schneider and Candace Cameron Bure, also slammed the choice, with Schneider saying he would boycott the rest of the games in response. Billionaire Elon Musk called the skit “extremely disrespectful to Christians” and House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said the scene was “shocking and insulting to Christian people around the world.” British broadcaster Piers Morgan asked online, “Would they have mocked any other religion like this? Appalling decision.” Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker, who made headlines earlier this year for speaking about his overtly Christian and traditional beliefs at an all-female college graduation ceremony, called the parody “crazy” in a story on Instagram.
Surprising Fact
C Spire, a U.S. mobile phone and internet company, pulled its Olympic ads amid the controversy. The company said it was “shocked by the mockery of the ‘Last Supper'” and wouldn’t continue its advertising plans.
Big Number
310,810. That’s how many people have signed an online petition demanding a formal apology from organizers of the Olympic Games.
Further Reading
Mary Roeloffs is a Forbes reporter who covers breaking news with a frequent focus on the entertainment industry, streaming, sports news, publishing, pop culture and climate change. She joined Forbes in 2023 and lives in Dallas. She’s covered Netflix’s hottest documentaries, a surge of assaults reported on social media, the most popular books of the year and how climate change stands to impact the way we eat. Roeloffs was included on Editor & Publisher Magazine’s “ 25 Under 30” list in 2023 and worked covering local news in the greater Boston area from 2017 to 2023. She graduated with a double major in political science and journalism from Northeastern University. Follow Roeloffs for continued coverage of streaming wars, pop culture news and trending topics.
“>
