Toni Morrison

Three French drag artists took the main stage ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics, making history as some of the first in drag to carry an Olympic torch.

In posts to social media, Minima Gesté, Miss Martini and Nicky Doll all shared about the honor to represent their country and community on a global stage.

“As the flame passes through France, it announces the Olympic Games and spreads a message of peace and friendship between peoples,” wrote Nicky Doll, the host of Drag Race France, on Instagram.

“In a world that is deeply unstable at the moment, with all of us feeling completely hopeless about some awful things we watch happening before our eyes, it was important for me to use my platform and try to shed some light. Even though I usually prefer to act on things rather than hope for them: I would like to use this opportunity to hope for the immediate ceasefire in Rafah and for dignity to be brought back to Palestine and its people who tremendously suffered throughout these awful times and beyond,” she added.

Miss Martini, who performs predominantly in Marseille was proud to unite “citizens under the same values,” adding in a post that she was “Proud to have been chosen to represent the LGBTQIA+ community with my sisters, Minima Gesté and Nicky Doll.

Minima Gesté, who was the target of homophobic and transphobic harassment over her participation in the capital city’s leg of the relay, according to a report by them., fiercely carried the Olympic torch last week and thanked her community for the love and support she has received.

Calling the moment as a “unique and phenomenal opportunity,” Minima Gesté rounded out the trio of history-making drag artists to bear the Olympic torch to Paris with the Opening Ceremony taking place this Friday, July 26.