The global star Celine Dion was not deterred by her illness from performing at the opening of the 33rd Olympic Games in Paris on Friday evening. This marked her first appearance since announcing her diagnosis with Stiff-Person Syndrome. The Canadian singer, who has been absent from concerts since 2020, performed "L'hymne à l'amour" ("The Hymn to Love") by Édith Piaf from the first level of the Eiffel Tower.
Despite her recent health crisis, the Canadian artist continued to pursue her passion as a global singer, creating a significant buzz among her fans in the City of Lights this week, where she was seen surrounded by admirers. She expressed, "Every time I return to Paris, I remember there’s so much beauty and joy still to experience in the world. I love Paris, and I’m so happy to be back! Thank you to our wonderful friends at The Louvre! Celine xx."
Dion suffers from this rare condition, which causes her difficulties in walking and prevents her from using her vocal cords in the way she desires to perform her songs. The historic event in Paris did not only witness Dion's return to live singing on stage but also included her performing in French as a tribute to the Olympic hosts.
This is not the first time Celine Dion has performed at an Olympic opening ceremony; she previously did so in 1996 when it was held in Atlanta, USA. The audience in Paris eagerly anticipated Dion's appearance, which came after a tough few months for her, as a video of her battling illness circulated. This poignant scene garnered sympathy from many of her fans around the world, who expressed their sadness and admiration for Celine Dion’s bravery in sharing those moments with the world.
The singer has a special connection with France, having achieved immense fame with her album "D'eux" in 1995, featuring songs by French singer-songwriter Jean-Jacques Goldman. In 1997, Dion enjoyed global success thanks to the song "My Heart Will Go On," which was part of the soundtrack for James Cameron's film "Titanic."
