Despite the criticism surrounding the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics, it ultimately concluded with a performance filled with hope, courage, and perseverance. Accompanied by a piano, Celine Dion sang live on the international stage for the first time since March 2020.
Standing on the balcony of the Eiffel Tower, Dion, dressed in a gown meticulously designed by Dior that took over 1,000 hours to create, passionately sang the classic French song “La Vie en Rose” by the legendary French singer Edith Piaf to an audience of over three hundred thousand.
The song was written by Piaf for her lover, the professional boxer Marcel Cerdan, and is one of France’s most famous love songs. Cerdan tragically died in a plane crash in 1949.
Thomas Jolly, the artistic director of the Paris Olympics opening ceremony, told Reuters, “We had a love song planned for the opening ceremony, which was ‘La Vie en Rose.’ We wanted to end the event with this song, and our intention was clear: to invite the most exceptional singer to perform this love song, and that person was Celine Dion.”
Audiences could feel the emotion overflowing in Dion’s voice as she sang the song, showcasing her passion for singing, which she loves to do.
The spectacular performance during the opening ceremony marked Dion’s first live performance since announcing her diagnosis of Stiff Person Syndrome in 2022.
Stiff Person Syndrome is a rare and incurable autoimmune neurological disorder that affects one to two individuals per million. It causes severe muscle spasms and stiffness, triggered by various factors such as low temperatures and sudden movements.
For Dion, this disease has affected her singing abilities. In a video announcing her diagnosis, she expressed, “Unfortunately, spasms affect all aspects of my daily life, sometimes making it difficult for me to walk and sing in the way I am used to.”
“Singing is everything to me,” she emotionally stated. “It is what I have been doing all my life and what I love most.”
In recent years, Dion’s illness forced her to cancel tour plans and postpone her residency at Resorts World Las Vegas. In the documentary “I Am: Celine Dion,” she revealed her nearly two-decade battle with the disease.
The film became one of Amazon Prime’s most popular documentaries, depicting Dion’s daily struggles with Stiff Person Syndrome. The raw and authentic footage on the screen highlighted her endless love for her family, gratitude towards her fans, and the efforts she puts in daily to be able to sing again.
Director Irene Taylor said, “This film stemmed from extraordinary trust. Celine let me into her life when most people were kept at arm’s length.”
The documentary shows Dion collaborating with therapists, fighting during emergency spasm attacks, and singing with determination in the recording studio.
“I work hard every day, but I must admit, it’s a struggle, and I miss what used to be,” Dion tearfully expressed.
The documentary was released on June 25th, with Dion emphasizing uncertainty about her voice and ability to sing. She said, “If I can’t run, then I walk. If I can’t walk, then I crawl. But I won’t stop.”
With the support of her family and fans worldwide, Dion’s perseverance, determination, and resilience paid off. A month after the documentary’s release, Celine and all those who love and admire her witnessed her turning hope and effort into transformation and success.
Overcoming health challenges with extraordinary courage, Dion delivered a stunning performance at the Paris Olympics opening ceremony, showcasing her bravery, resilience, and irreplaceable talent.