Celine Dion continues:
The 56-year-old Grammy Award winner made her highly anticipated return to music on Friday with a performance to close the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. After the Olympic cauldron was lit atop the iconic Eiffel Tower, the French-Canadian singer sang Edith Piaf’s “Hymne d’amour” for the world to hear.
It was the legendary “My Heart Will Go On” singer’s first performance since canceling tour dates and revealing that he had been diagnosed with Stiff Person Syndrome, a rare neurological disorder.
Dion has previously vowed to return to the stage despite battling health issues. During an interview with the Today Show in June, she said, “Even if I have to crawl, even if I have to talk with my hands, I’m going to get back on stage. I will.”
She added: “For the first time, my voice will be heard, not because I have to or because I need to, but because I want to. And I miss that.”
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During NBC’s opening ceremony coverage, Kelly Clarkson was at a loss for words when host Peyton Manning first asked her about Celine Dion’s performance. After the break, once she’d regained her composure, Clarkson shared her reaction.
“I was inspired, I was dancing, and I just wasn’t prepared for it to end the way it did,” Clarkson said. “If you know anything about Celine right now, she feels like this is her calling. And if you know anything about what she’s going through right now… I’m so sorry and I’m trying to hang in there now. But she got through it, and it was amazing. In my field, she’s vocal gold.”
How is Celine Dion’s health?
Dion revealed that she was first diagnosed with stiff-person syndrome in December 2022. According to the Cleveland Clinic, stiff-person syndrome causes “muscle stiffness and painful muscle spasms” and can make it difficult to walk.
In a video announcing her diagnosis in 2022, Dion said the condition “affects every aspect of my daily life, from making it difficult for me to walk to not being able to use my vocal cords to sing as I normally would.”
“I miss you all so much and can’t wait to get onstage and talk to you all in person,” she said at the time.
Celine DionA tearful documentary debut as she battles stiff neck syndrome: “My Love Letter”
Celine Dion made several public appearances in 2024.
In February, Dion made a surprise appearance at the Grammy Awards amid her battle with health issues and received a standing ovation from the crowd. She came onstage to “The Power of Love” by Taylor Swift, with the crowd singing along, before she presented Swift with the Grammy for Album of the Year.
In June, Dion made a rare public appearance at the New York premiere of “I Am: Celine Dion,” a graphic documentary about her struggles with health issues.
“This is by far the biggest audience I’ve had in years,” she said at the premiere, where she received multiple standing ovations.
“Your presence on my journey has been an immeasurable gift. Your endless love and support over the years has led me to this moment.”
Dion told French Vogue in April that she wasn’t sure when she’d be able to return to the stage. “My body will tell me,” she said. “But I don’t want to just wait around. Living hand to mouth is morally demanding. It’s hard. I work hard, but tomorrow is harder. Tomorrow is another day. But there’s one thing that never stops: the will. The passion. The dream. The determination.”
Contributors: Patrick Ryan and Kimi Robinson
