Donna Kelce thinks outrage over Last Supper act at 2024 Paris Olympics is misplaced, here’s why
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Donna Kelce, mother of NFL stars Travis and Jason Kelce, thinks all the outrage over the 2024 Paris Olympics Last Supper act at the opening ceremony is misplaced.
For context, the controversy erupted following the Paris Olympics opening ceremony, which featured a provocative scene that resembled Leonardo da Vinci's famous painting The Last Supper.
The segment included DJ and producer Barbara Butch, a well-known LGBTQ+ icon, flanked by drag artists and dancers. The segment transitioned from a static image with performers in ornate headdresses to a vibrant fashion show celebrating Parisian style.
Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper is a visual representation of Jesus Christ having supper with his 12 Apostles. The drag performance was therefore, met with severe backlash, with critics calling it out for hurting religious sentiments.
Amid the ongoing debate, Kelce's comments have introduced a new dimension to the discussion.
Donna Kelce hits out Last Supper act critics
Donna Kelce has responded to criticism of the Paris Olympics Last Supper act in the opening ceremony through her Facebook page, sharing a post from a user attributing the outrage to "veiled homophobia".
The post reads, "This is what happens when you ban books and limit education."
"The Opening Ceremony of the Olympics wasn't a mock of the Last Supper. If you have any knowledge of the Greek origin of the Olympics and the French's rich history of theater you would have gotten this. However, because of your veiled homophobia, some of you can't discern factual information."
Accompanied by a picture of the Greek Dionysus Feast painting — a 17th-century Dutch depiction of Greek gods — the post continued, "This is was what went down, so do your own research into the Olympics."
"The scene was a portrayal of a Greek Dionysus Feast celebration, which is a Greek (the origin of the Olympics) celebration of Dionysus (who is also known as Bacchus) who is the god of festivities, ritual, wine, pleasure, and frenzy. The blue guy…..that’s Dionysus. Dionysus was one of the 12 Olympians."
The post concluded, "The French are known for theatrics. Historical context and education surrounding the Olympics and its origin is important here in this. Many of you fell for the controversy in spun-up click bait. Stop mindlessly sharing posts and do some research."
The Paris 2024 organizing committee apologized on Sunday, July 28, after Christian groups worldwide expressed outrage over the scene.
Paris 2024 spokesperson Anne Descamps stated at a press conference: "Clearly there was never an intention to show disrespect to any religious group. [The opening ceremony] tried to celebrate community tolerance. We believe this ambition was achieved. If people have taken any offence we are really sorry."
Donna Kelce garners praise online as she defends Paris Olympics Last Supper act
Following Donna Kelce’s post which urged people to research and stop spreading misinformation, many social users have praised her.
One user praised, "I already loved you Mama Kelce but this just elevated it 1000%. This is why we need art and art history in schools!"
Another user wrote, "Well spoken Donna sometimes you just have to educate some people when they don’t know ."
The third claimed, "Everyone knows it was a mockery of several things. Misdirected attention away from that fact is the problem!"
A comment read, "Yup! I was fooled at first, then did some reading and learned."
Another user asserted, "Say it louder for the people in the back!"
One said, "You rock! Say it louder to the mindless ones at the back!"
This article contains remarks made on the internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online
