Celine Dion returns to stage for performance at Olympic Games opening ceremony in Paris


Published: 5 months ago

Updated: 5 months ago

Reading time: 3 minutes

Celine Dion made her return to the stage at the Summer Olympic Games in Paris in truly grand fashion.

Celine Dion made a spectacular return to the stage at the Summer Olympic Games in Paris. The superstar singer brought the ceremony to a close on Friday with a performance from the first stage of the Eiffel Tower, immediately after the lighting of the Olympic cauldron. She looked and sounded incredible as she belted out the timeless classic "L'Hymne a l'amour" by Edith Piaf, dressed in a stunning beaded white gown with tassels. The performance left commentator Kelly Clarkson speechless, who described Dion as "a vocal athlete."

This marks Dion's first concert performance since revealing her diagnosis of stiff person syndrome, a rare neurological disorder that affects the brain and spinal cord. In December 2022, the 56-year-old superstar announced she was taking a step back from professional commitments to focus on her health, explaining that the condition did not allow her to sing as she used to. Her last live performance before Friday was in March 2020 in New Jersey.

Lady Gaga kicked off the opening Olympics event with a performance along the Seine, paying homage to Zizi Jeanmaire, France's leading lady of Music Hall performances in the 1950s.

Stiff person syndrome can cause involuntary spasms and muscle rigidity, and Dion has opened up about the challenges it has posed to her singing. In an interview last month, she described the feeling as "like somebody is strangling you." Despite the difficulties, Dion has not let her diagnosis keep her down, making appearances at the Grammy Awards and expressing her determination to get back to performing. Her courage and resilience shine through, and she continues to inspire fans worldwide.


Review

Write a review