Entertainment
My Performance At Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony A Gift I’ll Never Forget – Lady Gaga
American pop icon Stefani Germanotta, better known as Lady Gaga, captivated audiences with a stunning performance at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games opening ceremony on Friday.
The singer enthralled the crowd with a rendition of the French cabaret classic “Mon Truc en Plumes,” originally performed by Zizi Jeanmaire, from the base of the Eiffel Tower. Gaga’s performance was a tribute to French culture and artistry, blending history with her unique flair.
Expressing her gratitude in a statement via V, Gaga recounted the meticulous preparations for the event. “I feel so completely grateful to have been asked to open the Paris Olympics 2024 this year. I am also humbled to be asked by the Olympics organizing committee to sing such a special French song—a song to honor the French people and their tremendous history of art, music, and theatre,” she shared.
The choice of “Mon Truc en Plumes,” a song famously sung by Parisian ballerina Zizi Jeanmaire in 1961, held special significance for Gaga. “This song was sung by Zizi Jeanmaire, born in Paris. The title means ‘My Thing with Feathers.’ And this is not the first time we’ve crossed paths. Zizi starred in Cole Porter’s musical ‘Anything Goes,’ which was my first jazz release,” she noted.
Despite not being French, Gaga emphasised her deep connection with French culture. “I have always felt a very special connection with French people and singing French music,” she said. For the performance, Gaga and her team rented pom poms from the Le Lido archive, collaborated with Dior for custom costumes made with naturally molted feathers, and incorporated modern choreography inspired by classic French dance.
Reflecting on her journey, Gaga revealed, “I rehearsed tirelessly to study a joyful French dance, brushing up on some old skills—I bet you didn’t know I used to dance at a 60’s French party on the lower east side when I was first starting out! I hope you love this performance as much as I do.”
In her heartfelt message to France, Gaga expressed her appreciation for the warm welcome and the unforgettable experience. “To everyone in France, thank you so much for welcoming me to your country to sing in honor of you—it’s a gift I’ll never forget!” she wrote.
She concluded by congratulating the athletes, saying, “Congratulations to all the athletes who are competing in this year’s Olympic Games! It is my supreme honor to sing for you and cheer you on!”
Lady Gaga’s performance has already been hailed as one of the most memorable moments of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, a testament to her dedication and the deep cultural resonance of her chosen song.
Grammy-winning Nigerian superstar Burna Boy has set a new benchmark, becoming the first African artist to achieve the highest concert revenue from a single tour.
According to Touring Data, the global tour monitoring platform, Burna Boy’s No Sign of Weakness tour is now officially the highest-grossing tour by an African artist in Oceania’s history, earning $3.1 million from 31,000 tickets sold across four shows.
The milestone was reached during the Sydney leg at Qudos Bank Arena, where Burna Boy alone generated $1.117 million in ticket sales.
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The tour spans 20 shows across three continents—North America, Europe, and Oceania.
In Australia, the four shows sold approximately 30,946 tickets, reinforcing the fact that African artists can sell out major arenas worldwide.
With hits like On The Low, Burna Boy’s global tours have become some of the highest-earning tours by African musicians.
Nollywood actress, Tonto Dikeh, has publicly declared love and appreciation for her former husband, Olakunle Churchill, years after their highly publicised split.
The emotional moment occurred during their son King Andre’s 10th birthday celebration held in Abuja, where Dikeh offered heartfelt prayers and words of affirmation for Churchill in the presence of guests.
In a video from the event that has since gone viral on social media, the actress described Churchill as “an amazing father” and expressed gratitude for his role in their son’s life.
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“You are an amazing father, thank you so much,” she said. “Your businesses will flourish; whoever curses you shall be cursed. I love you with the love of God.”
Dikeh further prayed for Churchill’s family and children, asking for divine protection, success and progress in all their endeavours.
“I pray for your family. I pray for your business. I pray for all the children. They will progress. Failure will not meet them. Everything that they touch will be blessed,” she declared.
The development marks a significant shift in the relationship between the former couple, whose marriage ended in 2017 amid allegations and public disputes that dominated entertainment headlines for years.
Recently, Dikeh revealed that they had reconciled and “buried the hatchet,” signalling an end to their long-running feud and a renewed focus on peaceful co-parenting.
Churchill later married actress Rosy Meurer in 2021, and the couple have two children together. Despite past controversies, both families appear to have embraced maturity and mutual respect.
The birthday celebration and Dikeh’s public declaration have since sparked mixed reactions online, with many applauding the former couple for putting aside differences for the sake of their son.
Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has appointed Nollywood actress, Mercy Johnson-Okojie, as Special Adviser on Public Engagement and Advocacy.
The appointment was announced in a statement issued on Thursday by the Secretary to the State Government, Musa Ikhilor.
According to the statement, the governor approved the appointment as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen communication between the government and the people of Edo State.
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“This is to inform the general public that Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has approved the appointment of Mercy Johnson-Okojie as Special Adviser on Public Engagement and Advocacy,” the statement read.
Johnson-Okojie, a renowned actress, producer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, is widely regarded as one of Nollywood’s most celebrated figures, with nearly two decades in the industry and appearances in over 200 films.
Beyond her acting career, she is the founder of the Mercy Johnson Okojie Foundation, which focuses on women empowerment, child welfare, educational support, and healthcare outreach.
The Edo State Government expressed confidence that her influence, public appeal, and grassroots connection would help boost awareness of government programmes and encourage citizen participation in state policies.
Her husband, Odianosen Okojie, represents Esan North East/Esan South East Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.
The appointment has sparked conversations across social media, with supporters describing it as a strategic move to bridge the gap between governance and the entertainment industry.
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