The firestorm of anger over the Paris Olympics opening ceremony took a legal turn on Tuesday, with a DJ who performed at the show saying her lawyers were filing a complaint about the torrent of threats and other abuse the LGBTQ+ icon received online after the ceremony.
In a letter posted to the DJ’s Instagram, Barbara Bucci’s lawyers said Bucci had “received death, torture and rape threats, and has also been the target of anti-Semitic, homophobic, sexist and grotesque insults.”
Butch’s agent confirmed to The Associated Press that the Instagram account belongs to the DJ.
Though the show’s artistic director, Thomas Jolley, has repeatedly said the show wasn’t inspired by “The Last Supper,” critics have interpreted parts of the show featuring Bucci as a satire of Leonardo da Vinci’s painting of Jesus Christ and the Apostles.
Butch, who calls himself a “love activist,” wore a silver headdress that looked like a halo as he livened up the party during his segment on the show.
Drag artists, dancers and others flanked Butch on either side.
France’s Catholic bishops said the attack had hurt and offended Christians.
Paris Olympic organizers said there was “no intention of showing any disrespect to any religious group” and that their intention was to “celebrate the community’s tolerance.”
Jolie saw the moment as a celebration of diversity and said the table where Butch performed was a feast and a tribute to French cuisine.
“My desire is not to be disruptive, nor to ridicule or shock,” Jolie said. “Above all, I wanted to send a message of love, a message of inclusion, not to be divisive in any way.”
A statement from Bucci’s lawyer, Audrey Muserati, said she has filed multiple complaints.
Typically, French judicial authorities review such complaints and decide whether to open a formal police investigation.
The statement said Bucci had been the “target of extremely violent cyber harassment and defamation.”
In her own statement, also posted to Instagram, Bucci said: “No matter what anyone says, I exist. I have never been ashamed of who I am and I take responsibility for everything, including my artistic choices. All my life, I have refused to be a victim and I will not be silenced.”
Her lawyers said in a statement that they “plan to pursue legal charges, whether committed by French nationals or foreigners, and will prosecute anyone who tries to blackmail her in the future.”
She said she was “very honored” to perform at Friday’s ceremony and that her “heart remains full of joy.”
“I am doing my best and I am proud. I am proud of who I am, what I am and what I represent, for my loved ones and for millions of French people. My France is France!” she wrote.
