Céline Dion certainly knows how to make a comeback.
The Quebecois singer returned to the stage for the first time in nearly four years on Friday, but it wasn’t just any stage: Of course, the pop diva chose the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympics, at the Eiffel Tower, as the site of her first performance since announcing to the world that she had been diagnosed with Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS) and canceled her world tour.
Dressed in a stunning floor-length gown with beading, fringe detailing and a long cape, Dion took to the first stage of the Eiffel Tower to perform a Parisian classic: Édith Piaf. The hymn to love.
At times, Dion seemed overcome with emotion as the crowd cheered her on. But she performed as powerfully as ever, her voice clear and unwavering as she delivered every note with conviction.
Canadian singer Celine Dion performs at the Eiffel Tower as the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games concludes on July 26, 2024 in Paris, France.
Jamie Squire / Getty Images
Before the opening ceremony, Dion’s highly anticipated performance was a poorly kept secret, often mocked and ironically teased.
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French President Emmanuel Macron hinted to television channel France 2 that the singer would make an appearance at the Olympics.
“I will not reveal anything, what [opening ceremony director] “Thomas Jolly and all his teams have been preparing,” Macron said, but acknowledged that the singer had arrived in his city earlier this week and that Olympic fans would be in for a “surprise.”
Celine Dion is seen leaving a hotel on July 23, 2024 in Paris, France.
Photograph by MEGA/GC Images
Dion herself hasn’t been shy about posting about her return to the City of Light. Since arriving in Paris, she’s been keeping fans updated on social media and has been seen strolling around the city.
“Every time I return to Paris, I remember that there are so much beauty and joy “There are still things to experience in the world,” he shared with X on Wednesday.
Following the premiere of his documentary last month, I am CelineShe told TVA’s Jean-Philippe Dion that a spasm in her throat during her Taking Chances tour in 2008 started what she called “17 years of panic” as she tried to understand what was happening to her body and the voice that has made her a global name.
She lost the ability to hit notes reliably as the spasms continued and had to try everything from steam to asthma treatments to powerful medications. She even learned to adapt her songs by changing the way she sang, but the stress of wanting to perform made her tense up and exacerbated her symptoms. After years of “lying,” she said she made the decision to confront her illness.
— with files from Sean Previl of Global News
© 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
