Entertainment
Celine Dion Stuns the World with Electrifying Performance at Olympics Opening Ceremony
It was the singer’s first performance since she announced her stiff-person syndrome diagnosis.
WASHINGTON — Celine Dion made a triumphant return to the stage during the Olympics Opening Ceremony.
The Grammy-award-winning artist delivered a poignant rendition of Edith Piaf’s “Hymne à l’amour” (“Hymn to Love”), closing the nearly four-hour event.
The Canadian singer, who had been rumored to perform, joined other stars like Lady Gaga and Aya Nakamura to celebrate the start of the 2024 Paris Olympics.
LA LÉGENDE CÉLINE #DION CLÔTURE LA FIN DE LA CÉRÉMONIE DES JO DE #PARIS2024.
— Cerfia (@CerfiaFR) July 26, 2024Dion’s outfit was designed by Dior. Daphné Bürki, the Paris organizing committee’s director of design and costume, spoke on French television about Dion’s excitement.
“When we called Celine Dion one year ago she said yes straight away,” Bürki said.
Dion is not French; she’s a French Canadian from Quebec. However, she has a deep connection to the country and the Olympics.
Her first language is French, and she has topped charts in France. She even won the 1988 Eurovision Song Contest representing Switzerland with a French song. Earlier in her career, Dion performed “The Power of The Dream” at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
Speculation about her performance started during the Parade of Nations.
Near, far, wherever you are… #OpeningCeremony pic.twitter.com/xFbbCCk1y1
— Team GB (@TeamGB) July 26, 2024Dion’s performance signaled her return after her 2022 stiff person syndrome diagnosis, which had forced her to delay many commitments.
Her public appearances have been scarce since, but she received a standing ovation at the 2023 Grammys when she presented an award to Taylor Swift.
The singer described the return as a journey through physical and emotional therapy. The rare neurological disorder causes muscles to tense uncontrollably and makes daily life challenging.
“Unfortunately these spasms affect every aspect of my daily life,” Dion previously said. “Sometimes causing difficulty when I walk and not allowing me to use my vocal cords to sing the way I’m used to.”
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
