This article originally appeared in the Spring 2025 Pink Issue of Showstopper Magazine.
For the first time ever, the Olympic Games kicked off with an Opening Ceremony that wasn’t in a stadium. Instead, it stretched across the Seine River in Paris, showcasing iconic landmarks, breathtaking performances, and over 3,000 dancers. Leading the charge behind this groundbreaking celebration of movement and creativity was Maud Le Pladec, the Choreographer and Director of Dance for the Paris 2024 Ceremonies.
As the mastermind behind the choreography, Le Pladec’s mission was to highlight the incredible diversity of global dance on one of the world’s biggest stages. Speaking about her hopes for the event before it began, she said to AFP, “This is a unique opportunity to highlight the richness and diversity of contemporary dance on a world stage with Paris as an original setting. Through dance in all its forms, I hope to convey emotions and leave a mark on the hearts and minds of all the spectators and viewers.”
Her vision included everything from classical ballet to breaking (a new Olympic sport) and krumping. “My aim was to show dance in all its diversity,” she explained. “There won’t be a single bridge in Paris without some dancers on it.” And she wasn’t kidding—performers danced across seven kilometers (over 4 miles!) of riverbanks, turning Paris into a giant, open-air stage.
Rainy Day Challenge
Lady Gaga’s jaw-dropping performance of Zizi Jeanmaire’s “Mon Truc en Plumes” was one of the ceremony’s standout moments—but pulling it off wasn’t easy. The unpredictable weather in Paris threw a wrench into the plans, creating safety concerns that nearly canceled the entire number.
“We had minute-by-minute updates. We had never watched the weather forecast so closely in our lives,” Le Pladec told Variety. The team quickly realized that performing live in the rain wasn’t worth the risk. “The soil would have been slippery. She was wearing heels, very near the water, there were stairs… We had to be extremely cautious.”
“It allowed me to dream bigger than ever before.”
Still, Gage delivered a stunning performance that celebrated French cabaret culture in true Parisian style. “She wanted to make a show à la Française,” Le Pladec said. “She puts so much effort and thought into everything she does, and she has a very developed creative process.”
In the end, the rain couldn’t steal the spotlight. Gaga’s performance kicked off the ceremony with archival costumes, French flair, and a cascade of pink feathers, giving us a glimpse at the bold creativity that would make the Paris 2024 Games so iconic.
Dancing into History
Le Pladec’s role in Paris 2024 was about more than creating beautiful performances—it was about making history and redefining how the world experiences dance. Tasked with choreographing one of the most ambitious Olympic Opening Ceremonies to date, she faced the challenge of turning the Seine into a living, breathing stage.
Collaboration was key to the ceremony’s success, and Le Pladec worked closely with Artistic Director Thomas Jolly to bring the ambitious vision to life. “[Le Pladec’s] artistic vision, combined with her experience and expertise, made her an invaluable ally,” Jolly said, praising her “unique ability to fuse modernity and raw emotion.”
For Le Pladec, the scope of the project was unlike anything she had ever done. Coordinating over 3,000 dancers from around the world and creating routines that spanned iconic Parisian landmarks required creativity, adaptability, and an eye for the extraordinary. Reflecting on the experience, she shared with Dance Reflections, “It required real organization, but it allowed me to dream bigger than ever before.” And dream she did—delivering a celebration that wasn’t just an opening ceremony, but a love letter to Paris, the power of movement, and a unity that only dance can inspire.