Who Is Aya Nakamura? French-Malian Singer At Centre Of Political Storm Ahead Of Paris Olympics

Ahead of the Paris Olympics in July, Franco-Malian popstar Aya Nakamura is facing a barrage of racist abuse after reports suggested that she will perform at the Paris opening ceremony of the world’s biggest sporting event.

What’s The Controversy?

28-year-old Nakamura has been at the centre of a political storm since March when it emerged in media reports French President Emmanuel Macron had suggested the superstar singer of “Djadja” could perform at the opening ceremony on July 26.

The hateful remarks directed at her underscore the ongoing struggle against systemic racism in France, according to New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW). “French popstar @AyaNakamuraa has been facing racist abuse following reports she might perform at the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics. Hateful remarks directed toward her once again highlight the prevalence of systematic racism in France,” HRW said in a post on X.

‘Critics’

A survey by French polling company Odoxa found that although Nakamura is extremely well-known with 80% recognition, only 30% of those surveyed had a favorable opinion of her. Some 73% of those familiar with her music said they did not like it, and a clear majority of 63% said she should not sing at the Olympics opening. The most vocal criticism has come from Marion Maréchal of the Reconquest party, who said: “Like her or not, the fact is – this singer doesn’t sing in French.”

But Macron on Thursday backed the idea of Nakamura performing at the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics and urged his compatriots to have “confidence” ahead of the Games. Influential far-right politicians and other conservatives have rounded on the 28-year-old, accusing her of “vulgarity” and not respecting the French language, while racist online abuse has sparked a police investigation.

‘She is certainly suitable’

“I think she is certainly suitable for the opening or closing ceremony of the Games,” Macron told reporters during the inauguration of an Olympic aquatics centre in northern Paris in his first comments on the controversy. “If she’s part of the ceremony with other artists, I think it’s a good thing,” he added, saying the “Games and the ceremonies should resemble us. She is part of French culture and French music.”

The recent row over Nakamura and a spat over the official poster for the Games — in which a Christian cross has been omitted from a Paris landmark — underline the tricky job organisers have in uniting a fractious country behind the Olympics. The Olympics are set to take place from July 26-August 11 followed by the Paralympics from August 28-September 8.

(With agency inputs)