Paris 2024 Last Supper parody performer sparks anger AGAIN as she breaks silence amid 'anti-Christian' backlash
Paris 2024: Barbara Butch from the Last Supper parody has spoken out amid the backlash to the routine
BBC
Barbara Butch, the DJ and LGBTQ+ activist involved in the Last Supper parody at this year's Olympics opening ceremony, has claimed her aim has always been to "unite people" with her performances.
The Paris-based performer was part of an ensemble of drag queens, trans models and a half-naked blue-painted man as they parodied Leonardo da Vinci's famous painting.
The Last Supper scene has become one of the ceremony's biggest talking points due to its "anti-Christian" connotations.
In fact, the organising committee of Paris 2024 apologised to Catholics and other Christian groups in a statement following the opening ceremony as backlash from across the globe flooded in.
Butch's participation in the display was one of the most notable due to her prominence in the arrangement and with fury pouring in from Christian groups, she took to Instagram to speak out.
Introducing herself amid the newfound attention, Butch penned on Instagram: "Hi my name is Barbara Butch, I'm a Love activist, Dj and producer based in Paris."
Paris 2024: Barbara Butch took part in the Last Supper display
BBCWhile refusing to address the backlash specifically, Butch claimed on Saturday: "My aim is to unite people, gather humans & share love through music for all of us to dance & make our hearts beat at unisson!
"Music sounds better with all of Us! Merci à mon amour. Par dessus tout merci à vous."
The post, much like the online conversation surrounding the Last Supper scene, was soon hijacked by furious spectators who felt Butch's claim of hoping to "unite" people was bizarre given the divisive nature of the performance.
Reacting to Butch, one Instagram user commented [translated from French]: "Total blasphemy. One cannot claim respect for his cause without having it for an entire religion. Art or not art."
Barbara Butch is no stranger to sparking controversy
PA
A second similarly fumed: "The only positive thing was the playlist but the scene was shocking and I'm not even a Christian just imagine 3 billion Catholics in the world watching this with a family."
"Shameful," a third began. "Do you want this as a picture of France? Haters who make fun of Christianity."
"What a disgrace," a fourth weighed in, echoing much of the furore that dominated social media on Friday evening.
However, Butch did receive some support from her followers for the routine, including one who praised: "SO PROUD I COULDN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE YOU ARE SO BEAUTIFUL."
"YOU MADE HISTORY BB ! INCROYABLEEEEEEEEEEE," a second similarly complimented. (sic)
Butch failed to apologise for any offence caused by the controversial routine but Paris 2024 bosses were forced to say sorry to Christian groups across the world.
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Anne Descamps, the spokesperson for Paris 2024, told press: "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."
The backlash to the Last Supper parody wasn't merely down to the religious connotations either as eagle-eyed viewers claimed to have spotted a wardrobe mishap with one of the dancers.
The seemingly graphic blunder also prompted complaints online as some felt the move was done intentionally.