French writer and publisher Richard Millet caused an uproar on February 23, 2026, during the CNews program "L'Heure des pros," by referring to Aya Nakamura as a "huge Malian singer." These remarks, deemed racist, sexist, and fatphobic by many observers, even prompted host Pascal Praud to demand a public apology.<\/p>\n
Invited to comment on the closing ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, Richard Millet declared: "I prefer La Traviata to that enormous Malian singer who performed in front of the French Academy."<\/em> He was referring to Aya Nakamura's performance at the opening of the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she performed on the Pont des Arts with the Republican Guard, singing "Djadja," "Pookie," and classics like Aznavour's "For Me Formidable."<\/p>\n The panel reacted immediately: columnist Sarah Saldmann called the remarks disrespectful, and Pascal Praud tried to moderate the discussion, pointing out that one doesn't describe someone physically in that way. Richard Millet persisted, invoking a "provocation," further exacerbating the already tense atmosphere. <\/p>\n\n