So, you caught the 2024 Paris Olympics closing ceremony and now you’re wondering who sang “My Way” at the end of the night. You’re not alone—so allow us to fill you in. That jaw-dropping voice belonged to none other than French singer Yseult, and trust me, she’s someone you’ll want on your radar.
Related: See the full list of 2024 Olympics Closing Ceremony performers here
First things first: it’s pronounced “EE-sult.” Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s talk about who she is. Yseult Onguenet is a French singer who’s been shaking things up in the music scene. Born in 1994 to Cameroonian parents, she grew up in a town called Bergerac (think wine country, not Cyrano.)
Yseult first popped up on the radar back in 2013 on a TV show called Nouvelle Star—basically, French Idol—but it’s what she’s done since then that’s really turning heads. What sets her apart is her distinctive blend of pop, R&B, and trap influences, coupled with deeply personal and often poetic lyrics. Her music often explores themes of self-acceptance, body positivity, and the complexities of her identity—and this unique approach has already earned her plenty of critical acclaim and a growing fanbase both in France and around the world.
Now, let’s talk about why her Olympic performance is such a big deal. As a young, Black French woman belting out “My Way”—a song we usually associate with old-school crooners—at one of the biggest global events of the year, Yseult’s performance definitely stands out as quite the statement. Plus, the choice of “My Way” for the closing ceremony is both pretty symbolic and fitting. The song, with its themes of individuality and perseverance, resonates strongly with the Olympic spirit. And Yseult? She brought her own flavor to it, mixing the classic with something fresh and new (kind of like what Paris did with these Games.)
Her rendition was an instant hit, with many taking to social media to gush about her performance at the closing ceremony. “This woman signing “My Way” is utterly phenomenal. No words – just stunning,” wrote SkyNews reporter Ben Bloch on X. Another new fan asked, “Who was that singing Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” at the #closingceremony ?? She had me tearing up, that was beautiful!”
While her Olympic performance is certainly about to raise her international profile, Yseult has already been making waves in the music industry for some time. She’s released several successful singles and EPs, and her debut album BRUT received critical acclaim upon its release in 2021. After this Olympic spotlight, though, it definitely seems like we can can expect to see and hear more from Yseult on the global stage in the coming years.
