By T. Jayani, JadeTimes News
Celine Dion made a triumphant return to the stage at the Paris Olympics opening ceremony, marking her first performance since revealing a serious health condition. The Canadian superstar delivered a powerful solo performance on the Eiffel Tower, concluding the four hour event with a stirring rendition.
Initially, there were rumors of a duet with Lady Gaga, but Dion took the spotlight alone, marking her first live appearance in four years. This performance came a year and a half after she disclosed her diagnosis of Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS), a rare neurological disorder that causes muscle spasms and can affect her powerful voice. The 56 year old, renowned as the "queen of power ballads," has been undergoing therapy to "rebuild" her voice, as she shared with us in June.
On Friday, her performance of Edith Piaf's classic "L'Hymne à l'Amour" indicated positive progress from her treatment. She was accompanied by a pianist on the first level of the Eiffel Tower, beneath the giant illuminated Olympic rings.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau praised Dion, calling her a "Canadian icon" and "an incredible talent" who overcame significant challenges to perform. Italian singer Laura Pausini expressed her emotional reaction, saying her "hands were shaking and my eyes were crying" as she watched Dion perform.
Dion's appearance had been highly anticipated, with fans gathering outside her hotel in Paris in the days leading up to the event. She has a significant following in France, with her 1995 album "D'eux" being the best selling French language album of all time.
This performance marked Dion's second participation in an Olympic opening ceremony, following her performance at the Atlanta 1996 Games. It also came six months after her surprise appearance at the Grammys, where she presented an award. Dion has hinted at a new residency in Las Vegas, stating, "We have been working so hard to put this show together because I’m back," during her interview with us in June. She currently holds the record for the most successful residency in Las Vegas history.
Last month, Dion discussed her battle with SPS in the film "I Am: Celine Dion," which Amazon Prime Video announced on Thursday had become its most successful documentary ever.
Comments