Juliana Olayode Slams 2024 Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony for Religious Insensitivity

Nigerian actress Juliana Olayode has publicly criticized the 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony for its controversial depiction of religious themes.

The ceremony, which included a parody of Leonardo da Vinci’s renowned painting The Last Supper, featured drag queens, a transgender model, and a singer dressed as the Greek god of wine. Olayode has denounced this portrayal as a disrespectful mockery of Christianity.

In a passionate Instagram post on July 29, 2024, Olayode expressed her outrage, calling the performance “completely unacceptable,” “bizarre,” and “disrespectful.”

She wrote, “This is completely unacceptable! This is bizarre, this is disrespectful and wrong in every way! The Olympics should be about sports, not religion or gender identity. DO NOT DISRESPECT PEOPLE’S FAITH!”

Olayode’s frustration comes from her view that Christianity is facing increasing disrespect. She said, “I am very upset. I wasn’t even going to make this post because I believe MY GOD CAN DEFEND HIMSELF! But as Christians, we’ve stayed silent for too long, and that’s why we are where we are.

People of other faiths speak up immediately when something offends them. Christianity is frequently attacked and disrespected, and the Olympics organizers should be held accountable for this decision.”

Her criticism adds to the global backlash against the ceremony, which has drawn criticism from Catholics, Christians, and other conservative groups.

In response, Paris 2024 spokesperson Anne Descamps addressed the controversy at a press conference, apologizing for any offence caused. Descamps stated, “There was no intention to show disrespect to any religious group.

The opening ceremony aimed to celebrate community tolerance. We believe this goal was achieved, and we are truly sorry if anyone felt offended.”

The debate highlights the ongoing tension between artistic expression and religious sensitivity, raising questions about the balance between creativity and respect for diverse beliefs.