Celine Dion made a spectacular comeback at the Summer Olympic Games in Paris, performing in a grand finale that followed the lighting of the Olympic cauldron. The iconic singer graced the stage from the first level of the Eiffel Tower, delivering a breathtaking rendition of Edith Piaf’s “L’Hymne à l’amour.”
Dion captivated the audience with her powerful and pristine voice, dressed in a dazzling white gown adorned with beads and tassels.
Kelly Clarkson, who was providing commentary for NBC, was initially left speechless by Dion’s performance and eventually praised her as a “vocal athlete.”
This live appearance marked Dion’s return to the stage after a hiatus due to her battle with stiff person syndrome, a rare and progressive disorder impacting the nervous system.
She had previously announced in December 2022 that she needed to take a break from her professional life to focus on her health, citing difficulties in singing as a result of the condition.
The last time Dion performed live was in March 2020 in New Jersey.
Her performance at the Olympic Games is her first since revealing her diagnosis. Lady Gaga had earlier opened the Olympics with a performance of “Mon truc en plume,” paying tribute to Zizi Jeanmaire, a renowned French Music Hall performer from the 1950s.
In a recent interview promoting her documentary “I Am: Celine Dion,” which was released on Amazon, Dion described the challenges she faces with her condition, including involuntary muscle spasms and rigidity. She disclosed that the spasms can be so severe that they have caused broken ribs.
Despite these hurdles, Dion has remained resilient. She made a notable appearance at the Grammy Awards earlier this year, presenting the final trophy.
In her documentary, she expressed her unwavering determination to continue performing, stating, “If I can’t run, I’ll walk. If I can’t walk, I’ll crawl. And I won’t stop. I won’t stop.”