Julius OkorieCanadian singer, Celine Dion, returned to stage as promised at the opening ceremony of the 33rd Olympics Friday night in Paris.
It was her first stage return since revealing serious health challenge but delivered a typical powerhouse at the opener.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelShe had initially been tipped to do a duet with Lady Gaga, but instead went solo on the Eiffel Tower to bring the four-hour event to a stirring climax.
It was Dion’s first live performance for four years, and came a year and a half after she revealed a diagnosis of Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS).
SPS is a rare neurological disorder that causes muscles to spasm and can be debilitating. It also affected her distinctive forceful voice.
On Friday, her delivery of Edith Piaf’s classic L’Hymne à l’Amour gave encouraging signs that the treatment is working.
She was accompanied by a pianist on the first level of the Eiffel Tower, beneath giant illuminated Olympic rings.
Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, said that she “is a Canadian icon, an incredible talent, and she overcame a lot to be there tonight”. He added: “Celine, it’s great to see you singing again.”
Italian singer, Laura Pausini, wrote: “My hands were shaking and my eyes were crying as I listened and saw my beloved Celine Dion.”
Her appearance had been hotly anticipated, with crowds of fans waiting outside her hotel in the city in recent days.
Dion has a big following in France. Her 1995 album D’eux is the best-selling French-language album of all time.
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Friday’s appearance was the second time that Dion, known for hits including My Heart Will Go On and It’s It’s All Coming Back to Me Now, had participated in an Olympic opening ceremony, after Atlanta 1996.
And her comeback performance came six months after a surprise appearance to present an award at the Grammys.
She already holds the record for the most successful residency of all time on the Las Vegas strip.
Last month, she discussed her struggles with SPS in a film called I Am: Celine Dion, which Amazon Prime Video said on Thursday, had become its most successful documentary ever.
Dion was in excellent form as she belted out the soaring, clean notes, dressed in a stunning beaded white gown with tassels.
Immediately following the performance, Kelly Clarkson – who was serving as a commentator on the proceedings for NBC – was at first speechless and then called Dion “a vocal athlete.”
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
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