Celine Dion Triumphantly Returns To The Stage At Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony

Celine Dion made an amazing comeback on Friday night, gracing the Paris Olympics opening ceremony with a performance that closed out the event from the iconic Eiffel Tower. Nearly two years after her diagnosis of stiff person syndrome, Dion delivered a powerful rendition of Edith Piaf’s “Hymne à l’amour” (“Hymn to Love”) as the grand finale of the four-hour spectacle.

Dion’s participation had been the subject of much speculation, and her appearance was kept under wraps despite weeks of anticipation. The organizers and Dion’s representatives did not confirm Dion’s involvement until the event began.

The Canadian singer, who has been absent from the stage since 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent tour postponements, had her 2022 tour suspended following her diagnosis. Stiff person syndrome is a rare neurological disorder characterized by severe muscle rigidity and spasms, affecting her ability to walk and perform.

In June, Dion discussed her challenging journey to return to the stage at the premiere of the documentary I Am: Celine Dion. She told reporters that resuming performances involved rigorous physical, mental, emotional and vocal therapy. “So that’s why it takes a while. But absolutely why we’re doing this because I’m already a little bit back,” Dion shared.

For the performance, Dion wore a stunning pearl-encrusted outfit designed by Dior. Daphné Bürki, the Paris organizing committee’s director of design and costume for the ceremonies, recounted Dion’s immediate acceptance when invited to participate a year prior. “When we called Celine Dion one year ago, she said yes straight away,” Bürki noted in a French television interview.

The ceremony was criticized by conservatives for a segment that included drag queens doing a parody of the “Last Supper.”