Olympic ceremony's controversial performer breaks silence after Harrison Butker criticism

The "Naked Blue Man" has defended his part in Friday's controversial Olympic opening ceremony, which has upset some devout Christians including outspoken Kansas City Chiefs star Harrison Butker.

Phillippe Katerine was at the center of a social media storm after being accused of making a "mockery" of Leonardo da Vinci’s painting, The Last Supper, which depicts the final meal of Jesus Christ and his disciples before he was crucified.

The scene on a bridge above Paris' River Seine, which included Katerine and several drag queens, bore a resemblance to the iconic artwork, although the official Olympics social media account attempted to cool tensions, saying on Friday that it was instead an interpretation of the Greek God Dionysus.

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Dionysus is the god of wine-making, orchards and fruit, vegetation, fertility, festivity, insanity, ritual madness, religious ecstasy and theatre, according to Greek mythology.

Nonetheless, several high-profile Christians shared their rage in response to the performance. Butker quoted the Bible verse "Galatians 6:7-8" on social media. He wrote: “Be not deceived, God is not mocked. For what things a man shall sow, those also shall he reap. For he that soweth in his flesh, of the flesh also shall reap corruption. But he that soweth in the spirit, of the spirit shall reap life everlasting.”

Catholic Bishop Robert Barron uploaded a video expressing his feelings. He said: "I love the Olympics, so I turn on the opening ceremony of the Olympics. And what do I see now? It's in Paris, France, a city I love, I spent three years as a doctoral student there.

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"I see this gross mockery of The Last Supper and I won't describe it any further. France felt evidently, as it's trying to put its best cultural foot forward, that the right thing to do is to mock this very central moment in Christianity where Jesus at his last supper gives his body and blood in anticipation of the cross."

Actor and singer Katerine, however, has brushed off the criticism. They told BFM TV: "It wouldn't be fun if there were no controversy. Wouldn't it be boring if everyone agreed on this planet?"

Three-time Super Bowl champion Butker has become one of the most prominent and outspoken Catholic voices in America since his controversial commencement address at Benedictine College in May.

The 29-year-old divided opinion when he urged members of the all-girls school to focus on being "homemakers" rather than pursuing careers. He also slammed Joe Biden, supporters of abortion rights and Pride Month in his speech, which went viral on social media and led to a petition calling for the Chiefs to fire him.

The organization and his teammates, however, have stood by Butker and he returned to training camp this week ahead of the new season.