Céline Dion is back. The Canadian icon made her grand return to the stage during the Paris Olympics opening ceremony with a performance of Édith Piaf’s famous song, “Hymne à L’amour,” or “The Hymn to Love” delivered on the Eiffel Tower.
The singer belted out the record while standing beneath the illumination of the six Olympic rings on the historic monument. Wearing a shimmering silver gown, she shined brighter than all the lights flashing across Paris.
Dion’s appearance is a significant milestone following her diagnosis with Stiff Person Syndrome, which she revealed in December 2022.
Queen mother Celine Dion is back in singing for the Olympics after 28 years! 🫶🥹 pic.twitter.com/wjMnUu8FkJ
— Reese 📸🏐 (@hainakyuu_) July 26, 2024
In June, the singer vowed that she would return to the stage despite the symptoms of the rare neurological condition taking a toll on her body. Stiff Person Syndrome can cause stiffness in the body and limbs, as well as debilitating spasms, which also impacts Dion’s vocal cords.
Dion has been undergoing intensive physical therapy and vocal rehabilitation with medication to address her symptoms, which she began experiencing nearly two decades before receiving her diagnosis. She first teased her plans to return to the stage during an interview with Today’s Hoda Kotb. “I am Celine Dion,” she said. “Because today my voice will be heard for the first time, not just because I have to, or because I need to. Because I want to, and I miss it.”
It was first speculated that Dion would perform at the opening ceremony when she was seen arriving to Paris in the days leading up to the event. There were a number of other names mentioned in rumors about the potential performance lineup, including Ariana Grande and Dua Lipa. It was also rumored that she would appear alongside Lady Gaga, who delivered the first performance of the four-and-a-half-hour special event.
The Paris Olympic Games run 26th July to 11th August, followed by the Paralympic Games: 28th August to 8th September.
The competition will air on the Nine Network and on-demand across its 9Now streaming platform. Stan Sport will also broadcast all 329 Olympic events across 32 sports, ad-free.
