Celine Dion has returned to the stage for the first time since opening up about her serious health condition. The 56-year-old was the star of the show for the 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony, delivering a dazzling performance to the athletes, fellow artists, the public, and viewers watching at home.
Not only did the Titanic singer stun the crowds with her epic rendition of the Édith Piaf classic, L’Hymne à l’amour, but she also made it a night to remember by closing the ceremony performing solo on the iconic Eiffel Tower.
Donning a crystal-covered Dior haute couture gown, made of “thousands of pearls and more than 500 meters of fringing,” according to a press release, Celine accessorised with a pair of sparkling dangling earrings and a gold glittering smoky eye.
After her performance, the singer took to Instagram to reflect on the evening, sharing a backstage image of her forming a heart with her hands, a photo of the Eiffel Tower, and a snap of two fans holding a Celine Dion sign.
She captioned the post: “I’m honoured to have performed tonight, for the Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony, and so full of joy to be back in one of my very favourite cities! Most of all, I’m so happy to be celebrating these amazing athletes, with all their stories of sacrifice and determination, pain and perseverance.”
She continued: “All of you have been so focused on your dream, and whether or not you take home a medal, I hope that being here means that it has come true for you! You should all be so proud, we know how hard you have worked to be the best of the best. Stay focused, keep going, my heart is with you!”
Celine’s musical comeback comes four years after her last performance, and a year and a half after she revealed her Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS) diagnosis. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and stroke, the condition is a “rare, progressive neurological disorder,” which includes symptoms such as stiff muscles in the torso, arms, and legs, and a greater sensitivity to noise, touch, and emotional distress, which can set off muscle spasms.
In her recent documentary, I Am: Celine Dion, the Grammy winner opens up about the debilitating disorder, which has also affected her powerful voice. The official synopsis reads: “Directed by Academy Award nominee Irene Taylor, I Am: Celine Dion gives us a raw and honest behind-the-scenes look at the iconic superstar’s struggle with a life-altering illness.
“Serving as a love letter to her fans, this inspirational documentary highlights the music that has guided her life while also showcasing the resilience of the human spirit.”
I Am: Celine Dion is now streaming on Prime Video.
Sophie Williams is a Freelance Journalist and Copywriter, covering everything from Fashion to Entertainment to music, Lifestyle and Features. She has interviewed a range of musical artists and authors including Alyssa Edwards, Courtney Barnett, Confidence Man, The Vaccines, Loyle Carner, Gabrielle, and John Niven, and has written for publications like Metro, Reader’s Digest, ITV’s Woo! and Vice’s NBGA. She is also working on a book for HarperCollins about Taylor Swift, due to be published in 2024.