(Picture: Pixel8000)
Celine Dion absolutely stunned viewers around the world on Friday night as she wrapped up the Paris 2024 Olympics opening ceremony with a powerhouse performance.
The Canadian star, 56, made an incredible public comeback with her first live performance in since she announced her stiff-person syndrome diagnosis in 2022.
It was also her first live performance since the early spring of 2020, in pre-pandemic lockdown New York.
As the ambitious opening ceremony approached its final minutes after the Olympic cauldron had been lit, signalling the official start of the Games, Dion stepped out on to a special stage beneath the iconic Eiffel Tower.
In a glittering beaded silver gown, and offering faultless vocals, the chart-topping Canadian singer gave a stirring performance that drew immediate adulation.
The star performed a rousing rendition of L’Hymne à l’amour by the French singer Edith Piaf.
(Picture: Ludovic MARIN/POOL/AFP)
As she came to the climax of the song, Dion appeared to become emotional.
Among those to share their admiration was Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
‘A proud Quebecer from Charlemagne is on stage at the Opening Ceremony!,’ he tweeted from his official X account, adding:’@celinedion is a Canadian icon, an incredible talent, and she overcame a lot to be there tonight.
‘Celine, it’s great to see you singing again.’
(Picture: BBC)
(Picture: CAMERON SPENCER/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Others rushed to heap praise on Dion on social media after an opening ceremony that had left some viewers cold with its decision to stretch itself across the River Seine and various Parisian landmarks.
’@celinedion I did not have cutting onions on my bingo card today. I have chills. That was incredible,’ posted Joey Vogt.
‘The performance of a lifetime from a lady who is unfortunately suffering beyond belief. This is your legacy,’ commented Paul Bavister.
‘Is it just me, or was it the absolute crowning highlight of the #Olympics2024 #openingceremony, seeing and hearing @celinedion,’ suggested Julie Forester.
Others praised the star as ‘glorious’, ‘unbeatable’ and ‘an inspiration’.
‘After everything she’s experienced, this is such a wonderful, beautiful thing to see. Celine Dion. An inspiration,’ shared TV critic Scott Bryan.
Dion previously performed at the Olympics for the Summer Games held in Atlanta in 1996, singing a song called The Power of the Dream, written specially for the occasion.
Her performance had been highly anticipated – especially after sightings of her in the French capital earlier this week, encountering enthusiastic fans.
However, given her health struggles of the past years, which were covered in unflinching detail in her new Prime Video documentary, I Am: Celine Dion, there were fears that she might pull out if she was struggling.
The other headline performance came from US singer Lady Gaga, who surprised viewers by singing in French during her performance of the classic song Mon Truc En Plume.
After her rendition she said it was her ‘supreme honour’ to perform at the event.
On X she posted: ‘I feel so completely grateful to have been asked to open the Paris @Olympics 2024 this year.
‘I am also humbled to be asked by the Olympics organising committee to sing such a special French song – a song to honour the French people and their tremendous history of art, music, and theatre.
‘This song was sung by Zizi Jeanmaire, born in Paris a French ballerina, she famously sang Mon Truc En Plumes in 1961.
‘The title means My Thing With Feathers. And this is not the first time we’ve crossed paths.
‘Zizi starred in Cole Porter’s musical Anything Goes which was my first jazz release. Although I am not a French artist, I have always felt a very special connection with French people and singing French music.’
The Oscar and Grammy winner went on to add that she ‘wanted nothing more than to create a performance that would warm the heart of France, celebrate French art and music, and on such a momentous occasion remind everyone of one of the most magical cities on earth – Paris’.
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