French pop star Aya Nakamura will perform at this summer’s Olympic opening ceremony, Macron said, after suggestions she could sing an Edith Piaf song sparked a racist backlash against the singer.
Asked about Nakamura, the world’s most beloved French-language artist, Macron said it would be a “good thing” if she performed at the opening or closing ceremonies.
When Macron opened the new Olympic Aquatics Center in Saint-Denis on Thursday, he said of Nakamura: “She speaks to many of our compatriots and I think she is absolutely in her rightful place at the opening or closing ceremony. .” He said he could not reveal details of the ceremony, which remained a closely guarded secret and the decision rested with the ceremony’s artistic director.
When French media first reported Macron’s support for Nakamura’s performance at the Olympics, many far-right politicians, including Marine Le Pen, and right-wing politicians including Senate leader Gerard Lacher criticized the singer and her music. In March, mention of Nakamura’s name prompted boos from the crowd at a campaign rally for the Reconquista party, led by far-right former television commentator Erik Zemour.
A small extremist group claiming to be locals hung a banner along the Seine that read: “No way, Aya, this is Paris, not a Bamako market.”
French Culture Minister Rachida Dati warned against “pure racism”. Paris prosecutors subsequently launched an investigation last month into alleged racial discrimination against the singer.
Nakamura grew up in Paris suburb Arriving in France from Marly as a baby, he responded to the backlash on social media: “You can be racist but not deaf… That’s what hurts you! I’m becoming a ranking in the debate First national theme…but what do I owe you exactly? Nada.”
Nakamura’s catchy hits about love and betrayal have been played seven billion times, and she made history last year by selling out three Paris shows in 15 minutes.
