Reason why Lady Gaga’s dazzling performance at Paris 2024 Olympics was pre-recorded

PARIS, FRANCE: Lady Gaga’s highly anticipated performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics opening ceremony promised a spectacular showcase of Zizi Jeanmaire’s 'Mon Truc en Plumes,' on Friday, July 26.

However, the glamour of Gaga's act wasn't quite as it seemed. While viewers at home enjoyed what appeared to be a live performance, those in attendance watched a pre-recorded segment on a screen.

“We were in front of Lady Gaga’s set, and by the time the music started, the staircase was empty,” France 3’s journalist Yannick Le Gall said. He added that “spectators booed and regretted having paid €180 to see nothing,” according to The Telegraph.

Weather forces last-minute change to Lady Gaga's Olympic act

The decision to pre-record Lady Gaga’s performance was made after the weather forecast predicted heavy rain, which posed significant risks. Maud Le Pladec, choreographer and head of dance for the Olympics, explained to Variety that the weather made it “too dangerous” for performers, leading to this last-minute change.

“Unfortunately, it was the only [performance] that, for safety reasons, we had to pre-record late in the afternoon, once we knew for sure that it was going to rain – we had minute-by-minute updates, we had never watched the weather forecast so closely in our lives,” Le Pladec highlighted.

“We assessed that it was going to be too dangerous for performers, even with a few drops of rain. [Gaga] wanted to do it absolutely so we preferred to pre-record it rather than cancel it,” she added. “The soil would have been slippery. She was wearing heels, very near the water, there were stairs… We had to be extremely cautious.”

Despite the setback, Gaga stayed on-site to watch her pre-recorded segment on screen before returning to her hotel. The 38-year-old 'House of Gucci' star later tweeted her desire to deliver a performance that would "warm the heart of France."

"I wanted nothing more than to create a performance that would warm the heart of France, celebrate French art and music, and on such a momentous occasion remind everyone of one of the most magical cities on earth – Paris,” the 'Poker Face' songstress said.

Nevertheless, the rainy weather not only impacted Gaga's performance but also led organizers to shift away from the traditional stadium format. Instead, they showcased the city's scenic beauty along the Seine, with athletes parading through the waterway.

Lady Gaga calls boyfriend Michael Polansky 'fiance' at 2024 Olympics

Lady Gaga has seemingly confirmed her engagement to longtime boyfriend, entrepreneur, and tech investor Michael Polansky. The speculation started after her electrifying performance at the 2024 Olympics opening ceremony. Gaga chose to remain in Paris over the weekend to enjoy some of the games.

On Sunday, excitement among her fans soared when a video shared on French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal’s TikTok showed Gaga introducing Polansky as “This is my fiance, Michael.”

PM Attal captioned the video, which seemed to be filmed at a swimming event venue, “Thank you, Lady Gaga, for your stunning performance at the opening ceremony. It was breathtaking.”

The couple first sparked romance rumors in 2020 when they were photographed kissing at a New Year’s Eve party in Las Vegas. They were later seen together in Miami at the Super Bowl, where Gaga shared a cozy picture of them on a yacht with the caption, “We had so much fun in Miami.”

During the early phase of the Covid-19 pandemic, the couple reportedly quarantined together at Gaga’s home, which strengthened their bond. In January 2021, Polansky accompanied Gaga to Washington, DC, where she performed at President Joe Biden’s inauguration. Rumors of their engagement first surfaced in April after Gaga was seen wearing a diamond ring on her finger.