Celebrated Canadian songstress, Celine Dion, made a triumphant return to the spotlight at the Summer Olympic Games in Paris in a truly magnificent manner. The iconic diva concluded the ceremony on Friday right after the ceremonial lighting of the Olympic cauldron, gracing the stage at the first level of the Eiffel Tower with a performance of the timeless classic: Edith Piaf’s “L’Hymne à l’amour.”
Dion exhibited her vocal prowess flawlessly as she delivered the soaring, clean notes, adorned in an exquisite beaded white gown with elegant tassels. Following her breathtaking performance, Kelly Clarkson – who was fulfilling the role of a commentator for NBC during the event – was initially left speechless, eventually lauding Dion as “a vocal athlete.”
The live performance marks the superstar entertainer’s first concert performance since revealing that she is living with stiff person syndrome, “a rare, progressive syndrome that affects the nervous system, specifically the brain and spinal cord,” according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
Dion, aged 56, announced in December 2022 her decision to take a break from her professional commitments in order to prioritize her well-being following the revelation of her diagnosis. She expressed that her current health condition has hindered her ability to perform at her accustomed level of vocal excellence. The Canadian songstress’ most recent live performance took place in March 2020, in New Jersey.
Lady Gaga commenced the opening Olympic event with a captivating performance along the Seine river of “Mon truc en plume,”originally performed by Zizi Jeanmaire, a prominent figure in France’s Music Hall scene during the 1950s.
Last month, Dion delved into additional details about the challenges she faces due to stiff person syndrome, a condition characterized by involuntary spasms and muscle rigidity, while promoting her latest documentary “I Am: Celine Dion” available on Amazon. During an interview with NBC’s Hoda Kotb, the renowned singer expressed that attempting to sing with her condition evokes sensations akin to “being strangled by someone.”She elaborated that the spasms can target various regions of her body, including the abdomen, spine, and ribs.
“I have broken ribs at one point because sometimes when it’s very severe, it can break some ribs as well,” the Grammy-winner shared.
Dion has not allowed her diagnosis to sideline her completely; this was evident at the Grammy Awards earlier this year when she graced the stage to present the final trophy of the evening. In her documentary, Dion expressed her unwavering determination to make her comeback to the world of performance. ” “If I can’t run, I’ll walk. If I can’t walk, I’ll crawl,” she said. “And I won’t stop. I won’t stop.”
