Celine Dion made a powerful return to the stage at the Paris Olympics opening ceremony, marking her first live performance in four years since revealing her diagnosis of Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS).
The Canadian singer delivered a moving rendition of Edith Piaf’s “L’Hymne à l’Amour” from the Eiffel Tower, bringing the four-hour event to a stirring conclusion.
Her performance indicated positive progress from the therapy she has been undergoing to rebuild her voice, which had been affected by the rare neurological disorder causing muscle spasms.
Rumors had suggested she might perform a duet with Lady Gaga, but Dion performed solo, accompanied by a pianist under the illuminated Olympic rings.
The performance was highly anticipated, with fans eagerly waiting outside her hotel. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau praised her resilience, and Italian singer Laura Pausini expressed her emotional response to Dion’s return.
Dion has a significant following in France, with her 1995 album “D’eux” being the best-selling French-language album ever. This performance was her second at an Olympic opening ceremony, following her 1996 appearance in Atlanta.
Her comeback follows a surprise appearance at the Grammys six months prior and teases a new Las Vegas residency.
Dion, who holds the record for the most successful residency in Las Vegas history, shared her struggles with SPS in the Amazon Prime Video documentary “I Am: Celine Dion,” which has become the platform’s most successful documentary ever.
