Drag queen breaks silence on Olympics controversy after being accused of 'offensive' performance

A Drag Queen participating in the Paris Olympics opening ceremony weighed in to help diffuse any controversy surrounding the performance.

Piche, a star from Season 2 of Drag Race France, appeared in the festivities alongside fellow Queen Nicky Doll (the host of Drag Race France, Paloma (Season 1 winner), and Giselle Palmer. "We meant no harm at the Olympics," she told TMZ .

This comes as many claim parts of the opening ceremony loosely resembled Leonardo di Vinci's famous painting, "The Last Supper." Members of the organizing committee have been quick to dismiss any of the uproar as abuse continues to be hurled at many of the performers from the event.

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DJ Barbara Butch appeared alongside the Queens wearing headgear some compared to Jesus Christ's from the famous di Vinci painting. She has subsequently faced a torrent of abuse to the extent that the Paris Police are now involved.

The ceremony's artistic director, Thomas Jolly, emphasized the ceremony was not inspired by the Supper. " My wish isn’t to be subversive, nor to mock or to shock,” Jolly said . “Most of all, I wanted to send a message of love, a message of inclusion and not at all to divide.”

Speaking with the AP a few days ago, Piche explained how she's ”really happy that queer people were able to be represented in this show. There was no moment that the idea of offending someone or a religion was on somebody's mind. It was just a joyful, happy pop culture moment that most of the planet felt."

Paloma, the Season 1 winner of Drag Race France who appeared alongside Piche and Butch, said “If the insults continue, I will join my friend Barbara Butch in her approach. For now, I am trying to focus on the on the thousands of loving messages I receive."

The scene from the opening ceremony has drawn a few critics, particularly those from the far right. One of them is controversial social media influencer Andrew Tate, who appeared at the French embassy in Romania with posters reading "Boycott the Olympics" and "Christianity will not be mocked."

In a recent interview with Laura Ingraham on Fox News, former U.S. President Donald Trump was asked about the comparisons between the opening ceremony and the Last Supper. "I'm very open-minded, but I thought what they did was a disgrace."

Many have praised the event for its inclusion of LGBTQ+ culture. " I was amazed. It started with Lady Gaga, then we had drag queens, a huge rave, and a fire in the sky,” former Drag Race France Qeen Le Filip told the AP. “It felt like a crowning all over again. I am proud to see my friends and queer people on the world stage."

Famous Queer website and magazine Out described the event as " a huge moment for queer and drag representation....[it] shows how French drag artists are becoming mainstream stars in the country."

According to Out , three LQBTQ+ athletes have collected medals so far at the Paris games : Amandine Buchard (Bronze, Judo), Laren Scruggs (Silver, Women's Foil) and Tom Daley (Synchronized Diving).