Céline Dion’s story is one of overcoming challenges worthy of an Olympic opening ceremony.
Paris 2024 has witnessed the much-anticipated return of the Canadian to the stage since the last time she performed live, four years ago in the United States. In 2023 and 2024, she was supposed to go on tour, but Céline Dion was forced to cancel all the concerts due to an alarming medical diagnosis: she suffers from Stiff Person Syndrome, a rare disease that causes spasms that hinder her daily life.
As the artist herself explained in a social media video, these spasms make it “difficult even to walk”: “And they also prevent me from using my vocal cords like I used to.” The singer also spoke about the illness in her recent documentary I Am Céline Dion, where she opened up about how she felt, comparing herself to an apple tree. She shared that her music and concerts provide “apples” for her fans to shine, but now the apple tree is producing fewer fruits than before. “I don’t want them to wait if I don’t have apples to give them,” Dion said.
The same documentary showed footage of the consequences of the illness. In one scene, Céline appears trying to sing, but her voice consistently breaks.
“I give a hundred percent in my shows, but my condition doesn’t allow me to give you that right now,” Céline said in 2022 when she canceled her tour. Now, after an intense recovery process, Céline Dion has felt prepared to perform live in front of millions again.
Her stunning performance at the 2024 Olympics
The opening ceremony of Paris 2024 generated some general disappointment due to a lack of spectacle and production errors. However, the rumors about the musical performances were confirmed. Aside from Lady Gaga, who opened the event, Céline Dion also put on a show to close the ceremony, as has been speculated in recent days.
And she did it with a breathtaking, epic, brilliant, and emotional performance. Wearing a beautiful white dress, the Canadian appeared confidently holding the microphone and displaying a radiant, steadfast stage presence.
On top of the Eiffel Tower, Céline Dion performed in French L’hymne à l’amour, by the French artist Édith Piaf. For those of us who have followed the artist’s recovery process, seeing her sing with such powerful and confident voice has been historic.
Her performance not only marked the Canadian’s return to the stage, but it also served as a example of perseverance, consistency, and passion for the millions watching her worldwide. An example worthy of an event like Paris 2024, where those values are precisely the driving force of the Olympic Games.
Céline has fulfilled her promise to return to singing, but she has taught us something much more valuable; even if she had not been able to do so, she would still be a role model for the love she has for her way of seeing life: music. But she did it. Now, at last, her apple tree is bearing fruit again.