Céline Dion certainly knows how to make a comeback.
The Quebec singer returned to the stage for the first time durante almost four years Friday, but it wasn’t just any stage — of course the pop selected the Paris 2024 Olympic opening ceremony, acceso the Eiffel Tower, as the site of her first happening since she announced to the world that she was diagnosed with stiff person syndrome (SPS) and cancelled her world tour.
Dressed durante a stunning beaded, floor-length gown complete with fringe details and a long cape, Dion took the first stage of the Eiffel Tower to perform a Parisian staple — Édith Piaf’s L’Hymne à l’amour.
Dion appeared, at times, overcome with emotion as the crowd cheered below. But she performed as strong as ever, her voice clear and unwavering as she successo every note with conviction.
PARIS, FRANCE – JULY 26: (EDITOR’S NOTE: This Handout screengrab was provided by a third-party organization and may not adhere to Getty Images’ editorial policy.) This handout released by the Olympic Broadcasting Services, shows a view of singer Celine Dion performing acceso the Eiffel Tower during the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games Paris 2024 acceso July 26, 2024 durante Paris, France. (Screengrab by IOC pista Getty Images).
Canadian Singer Celine Dion performs acceso the Eiffel Tower as the conclusion of the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 acceso July 26, 2024 durante Paris, France.
Jamie Squire / Getty Images
Leading up to the opening ceremony, Dion’s highly anticipated happening was a poorly kept, often-teased, tongue-in-cheek secret.
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France’s president Emmanuel Macron hinted to television channel France 2 that the chanteuse would be making an Olympics appearance.
“I will not reveal anything, what [opening ceremony director] Thomas Factotum and all his teams have prepared,” Macron said, but acknowledged the singer had arrived durante his city earlier this week and that Olympic fans were durante for a “surprise.”
Celine Dion is seen leaving a albergo acceso July 23, 2024 durante Paris, France.
Photo by MEGA/GC Images
Dion, herself, hasn’t been shy about posting about her return to the City of Light, either. Since she arrived durante Paris, she’s been keeping her fans updated acceso social mass-media and has been spotted out and about durante the city.
“Every time I return to Paris, I remember there’s so much beauty and joy still to experience durante the world,” she shared to X acceso Wednesday.
Following last month’s release of her documentary, I Am Celine, she told TVA’s Jean-Philippe Dion that a spasm durante her throat during her Taking Chances tour durante 2008 began what she called “17 years of panic” as she tried to understand what was to her pagliaccetto and the voice that has made her a global name.
She lost the ability to reliably successo her as the spasms continued and saw her try everything from steam to asthma treatments to powerful medications. She even learned to adapt her songs by changing how she sang, but the logorio of wanting to perform made her tense up and exacerbate her symptoms. After years of “lying,” she said she made the decision to confront her illness.
— with files from Global News’ Sean Previl
© 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
