Current:Home > InvestJodie Sweetin defends Olympics amid Last Supper controversy, Candace Cameron critiques -Keystone Capital Education
Jodie Sweetin defends Olympics amid Last Supper controversy, Candace Cameron critiques
View
Date:2025-04-16 10:04:29
"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! (44)
Related
- Buckingham Palace staff under investigation for 'bar brawl'
- Notre Dame football has a new plan to avoid future game-losing scenarios after Ohio State
- Hiker falls to death at waterfall overlook
- Why Patrick Mahomes Felt “Pressure” Having Taylor Swift Cheering on Travis Kelce at NFL Game
- DeepSeek: Did a little known Chinese startup cause a 'Sputnik moment' for AI?
- Charges dropped against officer in fatal shooting of Eddie Irizarry: Report
- Cars are a major predator for wildlife. How is nature adapting to our roads?
- Could LIV Golf event at Doral be last for Saudi-backed league at Donald Trump course?
- Who are the most valuable sports franchises? Forbes releases new list of top 50 teams
- Want to tune in for the second GOP presidential debate? Here’s how to watch
Ranking
- Tree trimmer dead after getting caught in wood chipper at Florida town hall
- Olena Zelenska, Ukraine's first lady, highlights the horrors of war and the hard work of healing
- As climate change and high costs plague Alaska’s fisheries, fewer young people take up the trade
- New iOS 17 features include 'NameDrop' AirDrop tool allowing users to swap info easily
- Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
- Lack of parking for semi-trucks can have fatal consequences
- Cars are a major predator for wildlife. How is nature adapting to our roads?
- 26-year-old tech CEO found dead in apartment from blunt-force trauma: Police
Recommendation
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Hi Hi!
JPMorgan to pay $75 million to victims' fund as part of Jeffrey Epstein settlement
Less-redacted report on Maryland church abuse still redacts names of church leaders
JPMorgan to pay $75 million on claims that it enabled Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking operations
Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
Charges dropped against officer in fatal shooting of Eddie Irizarry: Report
Deion Sanders Q&A covers sacks, luxury cars, future career plans: 'Just let me ride, man'
Hunter Biden sues Rudy Giuliani, attorney Robert Costello for hacking laptop data