Celebrities take over star-studded Olympics closing ceremony

It was a star-studded end to what was surely one of the most glamorous Olympic Games in modern history.

The French brought out their big guns first. Singer-songwriter Zaho de Sagazan, who shot to fame with her performance of David Bowie’s Modern Love at Cannes in May, launched the closing ceremony in Paris with a chic rendition of Sous le Ciel de Paris.

Tom Cruise rides the Olympic flag through the closing ceremony.Credit: Getty Images

Next came indie rockers from Versailles, the band Phoenix with their hit, Lisztomania, and special guests including electronic pop artists Air, then DJ Kavinsky and Belgian singer Angèle for the former’s hit, Nightcall.

They were joined a throng of athletes, as well as American singer Ezra Koenig, the Vampire Weekend frontman they had collaborated with on their recent album, Alpha Zulu, and Cambodian rapper VannDa.

But as the event moved into its final hour, French sophistication made way for some old-school, gung-ho Los Angeles vibes: think electric guitar riffs on the Star Spangled Banner (thanks to award-winning artist H.E.R.), while Tom Cruise, in full Mission: Impossible-Ethan Hunt mode, dropped down the edge of the Stade de France, and through a channel of adoring athletes leaning in for microsecond selfies, hand-slaps and at least one kiss.

Belgian singer Angèle performs in the closing ceremony at the Stade de France.Credit: AP

Cruise took to the stage to accept the Olympic flag from a fellow American megastar – gymnast Simone Biles, before “flying” it to LA in record time, parachuting down to the Hollywood sign and transforming the “oo” in “wood” to the five Olympic rings.

On the ground, at Venice Beach, we hit peak LA. The Red Hot Chili Peppers showed they are still going strong, rocking out with Can’t Stop, followed by decidedly low-key Billie Eilish and her brother, Finneas, performing Birds of a Feather.

Snoop Dogg, champion cheerleader, torch-bearer, and arguably the celebrity gold medallist of the 2024 Olympics, raised the energy levels again with his hit, Drop It Like It’s Hot. He was soon joined by Dr Dre for a family-friendly version of The Next Episode.

Back in Paris and in an inspired choice, French singer Yseult was enlisted to sing Frank Sinatra’s signature tune, My Way. Who knew it was based on a French song? Songwriter Paul Anka first heard the tune in the ’60s while on holiday in the south of France and wrote the English lyrics with Sinatra in mind, knowing he was set to retire.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers perform in Los Angeles as part of the Olympic handover celebration.Credit: Getty Images

Paris Games organisers felt the track represented the bond between the two countries.

The closing ceremony show was called “Records”, and was the vision of artistic director Thomas Jolly, who had enlisted Celine Dion to wow crowds in her comeback appearance – on the Eiffel Tower no less – in the opening ceremony. The idea was the final event would take the audience on a science fiction dream-like immersive journey through time, beginning with the origins of the Olympic Games and going to a dystopian future when the Olympics have disappeared and must be reinvented.

Critics reviewing the Paris finale were divided, some bemused by the artists who were relative unknowns. The Guardian in the UK described the show as “slightly underwhelming”, while The Independent said it was “less high art, more pop concert” and, perhaps not surprisingly, that “the dominant mood in the Stade de France was one of relief”.

Yes, there was the usual parade of the nations – including swimmer Kaylee McKeown and sailor Matt Wearn holding the Australian flag — plus the raising of the French flag in front of a 71,800-strong crowd, and impressive fireworks, but it was all slightly overshadowed by the bells-and-whistles approach of the Americans, no doubt a glimpse of what promises to be a wild ride in LA in four years.

Snoop Dogg was the celebrity gold medallist of Paris, and performed as part of the Olympic handover to LA.Credit: Getty Images

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