Before, the Canadian singer Celine Dion, who had previously suffered from the rare neurological disorder Stiff-Person Syndrome, made a surprise comeback on July 26th. She returned to the stage in Paris, the capital of France, at the iconic Eiffel Tower to perform at the closing ceremony of the Paris Olympics with her rendition of “Hymne à l’amour,” electrifying the audience.
Following performances by Lady Gaga and other European singers, Celine Dion took the stage as the highlight of the Paris Olympics opening ceremony. With the lighting of the sacred flame on a hot air balloon rising slowly over the Tuileries Garden, Celine Dion sang the famous French singer Edith Piaf’s “Hymne à l’amour” accompanied by a piano. She wore a stunning white dress adorned with beads and fringes, her voice clear and powerful, creating a heart-stirring moment that captivated the audience.
Notable was Celine Dion’s performance standing throughout at the base of the Eiffel Tower, seemingly free from the effects of the rare disease.
At 56 years old, Celine Dion was diagnosed with Stiff-Person Syndrome (SPS), a rare neurological disorder that led to damage to her vocal cords and limited her mobility. This compelled her to pause her career and cancel all remaining tours. In the documentary “I Am: Céline Dion,” she openly shared her struggles with the disease, expressing her shame and the challenges of not being able to fully control her movements.
In February, Celine Dion made an appearance at the Grammy Awards ceremony, where she received a standing ovation upon winning the Album of the Year award. She continues to undergo rehabilitation five days a week to alleviate stiffness in her toes, knees, and other areas, also aiming to rehabilitate her voice. Fans have expressed overwhelming support, hoping for her speedy recovery.
Celine Dion had previously performed at the opening ceremony of the 1996 Atlanta Olympics with the song “The Power of the Dream.” This recent performance marks her return to the stage since her last show in London back in July 2019.
Known as the “Queen of Ballads,” Celine Dion has been a prominent figure in the music industry since the 1980s, having won numerous prestigious awards including the Eurovision contest, five Grammy Awards, twelve World Music Awards, seven American Music Awards, eight Billboard Awards, and twenty Juno Awards. Her rendition of the iconic theme song “My Heart Will Go On” for the movie “Titanic” earned her an Oscar and a Grammy, with the song becoming a timeless classic.
There were speculations before the Paris Olympics opening ceremony that Celine Dion’s performance fee reached up to $2 million. However, according to reports from “Page Six,” the Olympic Committee clarified that performers do not receive payment for the opening ceremony, and their willingness to perform under such conditions reflects their genuine desire to participate in the world-class event celebrating both France and sports.