Who Is the Man Painted Blue at the Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony? His Identity Is Revealed as He Speaks Up

The man painted in blue who portrayed a Greek god at the controversial Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony has now revealed the deeper meaning behind his provocative performance.

The Paris Olympics kicked off with a spectacular but controversial opening ceremony that sparked religious debates. One of the main highlights was a scene some people called a "Last Supper" parody. The man at the center of this performance recently shared his perspective in a recent CNN interview.

Philippe Katerine is the man who was painted blue during the Olympics' opening ceremony. His portrayal of the Greek god Dionysus was one of the standout moments, quickly making him a viral sensation.

Katerine, born Philippe Blanchard on December 8, 1968, in Chantonnay, Vendée, France, is a singer, songwriter, and actor. He has appeared in films like "Sink or Swim" (2018) and "Gainsbourg: A Heroic Life" (2010).

Reflecting on his Olympics performance, the French entertainer, explained to CNN that his song "Nu," which means "naked" in French, was meant to be a message for peace, inspired by conflicts in places like Gaza and Ukraine

The song also suggests that nudity symbolizes innocence and transparency. "Would there have been wars if we'd stayed naked? The answer is perhaps not because you can't hide a gun or a dagger when you're naked," Katerine stated.

Katerine's idea harks back to the ancient Greek tradition of athletes competing nude during the original Olympic Games. He reflected on this historical context, saying, "This was also the idea behind the origins of the Olympic Games. So there I came, simply, to sing this song."

Katerine's controversial performance also featured DJ Barbara Butch, who subsequently reported receiving a wave of online threats and harassment. Butch's lawyer, Audrey Msellati, confirmed that a legal complaint had been filed, citing harassment based on religion and sexual orientation.

The Paris prosecutor's office has initiated an investigation, highlighting the serious nature of the threats and the broader issues of online abuse.

Reactions to the provocative performance have been mixed, and this has fueled a broader cultural debate about the boundaries of artistic expression.

On the talk show "The View," shared online on July 30, co-host Whoopi Goldberg defended the act, emphasizing that it was not intended to offend but to evoke historical themes. "Come on, y'all. It's the Olympics. Stop," she said.

Goldberg urged viewers to adopt a more understanding perspective. "They're not trying to do anything except talk about the history. They're showing you the history," she remarked.

The 68-year-old TV presenter further clarified that the scene in question did not resemble "The Last Supper." She pointed out that there were "too many people" present for such a depiction.

Goldberg also suggested that instead of dwelling on upsetting things or complaining, the public should simply disengage by turning off the TV, watching something else, or avoiding certain pictures.

Adding to the conversation, Goldberg's co-host Ana Navarro emphasized the importance of focusing on the athletes who have put so much effort into the Olympics.

"I guess, and I would say, you know, it happens every four years. There are young people who train their entire lives to be there, to represent our countries. Can we please give them the focus?" Navarro said.

Building on this, she encouraged celebrating the achievements of athletes like Simone Biles, Suni Lee, and Hezly Rivera. She also urged the public to discuss Flavor Flav's generous financial support for the US Women's Water Polo team, along with LeBron James and Coco Gauff's appearances at the event.

Meanwhile, while Goldberg and Navarro have commented on the "Last Supper" parody during the opening ceremony, other celebrities have weighed in as well.

Actress Candace Cameron Bure had earlier expressed her disappointment in an Instagram video, claiming the ceremony mocked Christian beliefs.

In the clip, Bure revealed she initially hesitated to comment on the Olympics' opening ceremony because she didn't want to become a headline. However, she felt the issue was too important to stay silent, so she decided to share her thoughts despite the risks.

Bure mentioned her connection to the Olympics, noting that her husband, brother-in-law, and father-in-law are all Olympic medalists and that they all love the Games. She also fondly remembered watching marathoners during the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics as a child.

Reflecting on this year's Olympics, she said, "So, to watch such an incredible and wonderful event that's going to take place over the next two weeks and see the opening ceremonies completely blasphemed and mock the Christian faith with their interpretations of the Last Supper was disgusting. And it made me so sad."

She shared someone advised her not to be sad about the issue but to feel angry instead. She said, "I’m like..trust me, it makes me mad, but I'm more sad because I'm sad for souls."

Bure also stated that many people have attempted to "correct" her views. But she later claimed that Dionysius was "a god of lust, insanity, religious ecstasy, ritual madness, etc."

Although the real interpretation has been explained, Bure remained unconvinced. "I still don't see how that relates to unifying the world through competitive sports and acceptable for children to watch. In any case, I'm not buying it," she said. Other celebrities also voiced their concerns.

Comedian Rob Schneider criticized the inclusion of drag performances and public nudity. "Guys with their genitalia hanging out in front of children?! Drag Queens?! I wasn't sure if I was watching the @Olympics or if I was watching a school board meeting..." he posted on X.

Schneider also followed up with another post. He wished the athletes well but said he could not support an Olympics that he believed disrespected Christianity and "openly celebrates Satan."

Fitness expert Jillian Michaels also called for respect and sensitivity. "Dear fellow gays… We demand tolerance and respect but then make a mockery of something sacred for over 2 billion Christians," she said on X.

She also expressed another concern on the platform. "This type of hypocrisy and lack of understanding is a bad look... What kind of reaction do you think they will have towards the LGBTQ+ community after this. This is NOT how we break down barriers it’s how you build them [sic]," Michaels added.

In response to the backlash, Paris Olympics 2024 organizers issued an apology during a press conference. Spokesperson Anne Descamps clarified, "Clearly, there was never an intention to show disrespect to any religious group. On the contrary, I think that Thomas Jolly really tried to...intend to celebrate community tolerance."

Looking at the results of the opening ceremony, Descamps stated, "We believe that this ambition was achieved. If people have taken any offense, we are, of course, really sorry."

Jolly, the Olympic Games Creative Director, emphasized that they aimed to showcase France's diverse cultural heritage. "I did not intend to be subversive, or to mock or shock," Jolly stated.

He emphasized that the event was made to showcase ideas like kindness, generosity, and solidarity. These are the values he believes are crucial in today's world.

He also underscored the freedoms celebrated in their country. "In France, we can believe or not believe. In France, we have a lot of rights and I wanted to convey those values throughout the ceremony," Jolly explained.

Despite apologies and explanations, Katerine’s blue-painted Dionysus performance sparked debate on artistic expression and cultural sensitivity. Reactions from Whoopi Goldberg to Bure show that people care and are engaged in understanding the story behind the performance.