French actor Philippe Katerine has gone viral after performing during the 2024 Olympics opening ceremony
If you’re using social media platforms, especially X/Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok, chances are you must have encountered a viral semi-n*ked blue man video who’s making waves for performing at the Paris Olympics opening ceremony.
For the unfamiliar, here’s the brief.
The opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics 2024 showed us spectacular and awe-inspiring moments, from the torchbearer to Lady Gaga and Celine Dion’s performances.
Who is French actor Philippe Katerine the semi-n*ked blue man dancing during the Paris Olympics 2024 opening ceremony
However, a semi-n*ked blue man served up on a giant fruit platter was perhaps the strangest part of the Paris Olympics opening ceremony on Friday. A video of the incident is making the rounds online, leaving everyone stunned.
The viral video shows a rain-soaked event featuring the blue man, sparsely adorned with flowers and leaves, singing “Nu” (N*ked) as he floated down the River Seine.
Identity of the Blue Man
The semi-n*ked blue man is identified as French singer and actor Philippe Katerine. The 55-year-old actor gained popularity in France in the 2000s with his dance hit “Louxor, j’adore.”
The interpretation of the Greek God Dionysus makes us aware of the absurdity of violence between human beings. #Paris2024 #OpeningCeremony pic.twitter.com/FBlQNNUmvV
— The Olympic Games (@Olympics) July 26, 2024
His bizarre performance during the ceremony saw him lying on a giant fruit platter, nearly naked except for blue paint, gold dust, and a scattering of foliage covering the essentials. Some social media users likened him to a Smurf or an Avatar.
About Philippe Katerine’s Performance
As per reports, Katerine was channeling Dionysus, the Greek god of wine and festivity, with a song about “the absurdity of violence between human beings.”
Dionysus, one of the major gods in Greek mythology, is associated with wine, fertility, theater, and ecstasy. He is often depicted as a youthful man with a glass of wine and a frenzy of followers.
Since Dionysus is rarely depicted as blue in classical art, Philippe Katerine’s choice of color remains a mystery. The French, delighted by the performance, were also aware of the reactions his bizarre appearance would elicit.
Social Media Users Reaction
Social media users are left stunned after seeing the bizarre appearance of Philippe Katerine. One such user took to X and penned, “I’m thinking of the billion viewers outside France who have just discovered Philippe Katerine painted in blue and in slibard this evening.”
I’ve watched so much of the #OpeningCeremony that now I think it‘s good that Russia is not there pic.twitter.com/Z7ul4GNbtH
— Russian Market (@runews) July 26, 2024
Another one added, “Ruin the opening ceremonies- great job.” A third one joined, “Actually it made me turn off the TV.” A fourth one chimed in, “Why is there a Smurf?” A fifth one wrote, “Absurdity what I just saw in a sports event!”