The organizing committee of the Paris Olympics has expressed shock at the “racist” attacks against Malian-French singer Aya Nakamura by far-right French groups.
The attacks stemmed from reports that Nakamura, 28, would be performing a song by the legendary 20th-century French singer Édith Piaf at the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics in July.
Over the weekend, members of the far-right group Les Natifs protested in Paris with a banner that read: “There’s no way Aya, this is Paris, not the Bamako market,” referencing the capital of Mali where Nakamura was born.
Despite migrating to France with her family as a child and obtaining French citizenship in 2021, Nakamura faced discrimination and was booed by supporters of the far-right Reconquest party during a rally.
In response to the attacks, the Paris Olympics organizing committee issued a statement on Monday offering their “total support” to Nakamura, who is considered the most listened-to French artist globally.
Despite facing backlash, Nakamura has received support from fans and French leaders, including French MP Antoine Leaument and Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera.
Les Natifs has continued their criticism, claiming that Nakamura does not represent French culture and that her performance would signify the “Africanization” of French culture.
Despite the controversy, Nakamura remains one of the most prominent musicians in France and is recognized as the most listened-to French-singing musician worldwide.
