Paris Olympics opening ceremony features controversial headless Marie Antoinette | The Express Tribune

The Opening Ceremony for the Paris Olympics is underway, and it has already turned heads. 

Alongside listing the participating countries, several performances showcased France’s history and culture. 

Shortly after Lady Gaga’s performance, the ceremony featured a headless Marie Antoinette, the last queen before the French Revolution, who was married to Louis XVI. 

After being found guilty in 1793, Marie Antoinette was famously sentenced to death by guillotine.

The portrayal of the queen elicited strong reactions. 

One post, translated from French, said, “Up until then, I thought it wasn’t bad, but the guillotined Marie-Antoinette at the window singing It’ll be OK, with the blood fireworks at the end, it’s [atrocious]…” 

Another translated post called it “despicable.” 

A separate French post stated, “Red card to the morbid representation of Marie-Antoinette guillotined in a window of the Palais de Justice in Paris. We have abolished the death penalty and… we celebrate it in front of the whole world…”

The headless queen performance transitioned into a set by the French rock band Gojira. 

The ceremony also depicted a ménage à trois, reflecting another aspect of French lifestyle, which received a mix of humor and criticism. 

Despite the rain pouring down in Paris, the ceremonies continue.

Although the opening ceremony took place on Friday, events started as early as Wednesday, including the United States’ women’s soccer victory over Zambia. 

The first gold medal events are set for Saturday.