Current:Home > MyJodie Sweetin defends Olympics amid Last Supper controversy, Candace Cameron critiques -RiskWatch
Jodie Sweetin defends Olympics amid Last Supper controversy, Candace Cameron critiques
View
Date:2025-04-15 15:25:55
"Full House" alums Jodie Sweetin and Candace Cameron Bure are at odds over a scene from the 2024 Summer Olympics opening ceremony that utilized drag performers.
The moment on Friday featured a cast of drag performers and dancers spread out over a table, which was meant to represent a Pagan celebration of Greek god Dionysus, although many interpreted it as a reference to Leonardo Da Vinci's religious painting "The Last Supper." Portrayed at the Olympics by French singer and actor Philippe Katerine, Dionysus – known to the Romans as Bacchus – has a close tie to France: In Greek mythology, he is the father of Sequana, the goddess of the River Seine.
"Tell me you don't know about art or history without TELLING me you don't know about art or history," Sweetin wrote on her Instagram story Monday.
She coupled her comments with a video from social media creator Walter Masterson explaining the connection between Dionysis, France and the Greek origins of the Olympics.
Sweetin's post comes a day after her former co-star Bure shared an impassioned critic of the opening ceremony scene, saying it "completely blasphemed and mock(ed) the Christian faith with their interpretation of 'The Last Supper' was disgusting."
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
"It makes me mad, but I'm more sad. Because I'm sad for souls," Bure continued.
The 48-year-old actor added that although people have tried to "correct" her on her interpretation, she's "not buying it."
"I still don’t see how (Dionysus) relates to unifying the world through competitive sports and (is) acceptable for children to watch," she wrote in the caption.
While the Olympic ceremony performance could be said to depict one such celebration, some have even said the scene was reminiscent of not just Da Vinci's work, but other works as well.
Among them is “The Feast of the Gods," a 17th century painting from Dutch artist Jan van Bijlert depicting the Greek gods of Olympus crowded around a long table. At the center of the table is the sun god Apollo, recognizable by a halo of light around his head.
Did the Olympics mock the Last Supper?Explaining Dionysus and why Christians are angry
DJ files complaint after death threats following Olympics opening ceremony scene
French DJ and producer Barbara Butch, who performed at the Paris Olympics' opening ceremony, filed complaints against people who have harassed and threatened her since then, she said on Monday.
"(Since the ceremony) she has been threatened with death, torture, and rape, and has also been the target of numerous antisemitic, homophobic, sexist and fat-phobic insults," her lawyer said in a statement Butch posted on her Instagram account.
Butch therefore had filed several complaints against both French nationals and people outside of France, lawyer Audrey Msellati added. The targets of the complaints were not named in the statement.
During the Olympics opening ceremony, Butch was part of a kitsch tableau featuring drag queens. The tableau sparked fury among the Catholic church and far-right politicians, prompting Paris 2024 organizers to apologize on Sunday to Catholics and other Christian groups.
Thomas Jolly, the artistic director behind the ceremony, said the scene had not been inspired by "The Last Supper" but instead depicted a pagan feast linked to the gods of Olympus.
Contributing: Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY; Charlotte Van Campenhout, Reuters
veryGood! (63)
Related
- 'We're reborn!' Gazans express joy at returning home to north
- An American reporter jailed in Russia loses his appeal, meaning he’ll stay in jail through March
- Adult Film Star Jesse Jane, Who Appeared in Entourage, Dead at 43
- A private prison health care company accused of substandard care is awarded new contract in Illinois
- New Zealand official reverses visa refusal for US conservative influencer Candace Owens
- Coco Gauff eliminated from Australian Open in semifinal loss to Aryna Sabalenka
- Biden administration warned Iran before terror attack that killed over 80 in Kerman, U.S. officials say
- New England Patriots WR Kayshon Boutte charged in illegal sports gaming scheme
- Scoot flight from Singapore to Wuhan turns back after 'technical issue' detected
- Canadiens' Brendan Gallagher gets five-game supsension for elbowing Adam Pelech's head
Ranking
- 'We're reborn!' Gazans express joy at returning home to north
- Jurgen Klopp announces he will step down as Liverpool manager at end of season
- People take to the beach as winter heat wave hits much of Spain
- Harry Connick Jr. shares that his dad, Harry Connick Sr., has died at 97
- Scoot flight from Singapore to Wuhan turns back after 'technical issue' detected
- Shop Lulus' Sale for the Perfect Valentine's Day Outfit & Use Our Exclusive Code
- Tensions simmering in the South China Sea and violence in Myanmar as Laos takes over ASEAN chair
- Funeral homes warned after FTC's first undercover phone sweep reveals misleading pricing
Recommendation
Israel lets Palestinians go back to northern Gaza for first time in over a year as cease
Jurgen Klopp announces he will step down as Liverpool manager at end of season
Mikaela Shiffrin escapes serious injury after crash at venue for 2026 Olympics
Christina Hall Slams Load of S--t Rumor That She Refuses to Work With Women
Most popular books of the week: See what topped USA TODAY's bestselling books list
Rescuers race against the clock as sea turtles recover after freezing temperatures
Whoopi Goldberg pushes back against 'Barbie' snubs at 2024 Oscars: 'Everybody doesn't win'
Kentucky Democratic Party leader stepping down to take new role in Gov. Beshear’s administration