Céline Dion Shares How She Felt Making Comeback at 2024 Paris Olympics
Céline Dion Speaks Out Following Her Performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics
Céline Dion felt the power of love from around the world.
The “My Heart Will Go On” singer—who’s been battling stiff-person syndrome—took to the stage for the 2024 Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony to sing Édith Piaf‘s “Hymne A L’Amour.” And she could not have been more thrilled about the occasion.
“I’m honored to have performed tonight, for the Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony,” Céline wrote on Instagram July 26 alongside photos from the evening, “and so full of joy to be back in one of my very favorite cities!”
The 56-year-old also shared her admiration for all the Olympians competing in the games, adding, “I’m so happy to be celebrating these amazing athletes, with all their stories of sacrifice and determination, pain and perseverance.”
“All of you have been so focused on your dream, and whether or not you take home a medal, I hope that being here means that it has come true for you!” she continued. “You should all be so proud, we know how hard you have worked to be the best of the best. Stay focused, keep going, my heart is with you!”
Céline’s performance from the Eiffel Tower marked her first since 2020, and the moment was an emotional one for fans, including Kelly Clarkson, who was co-hosting NBC’s coverage of the Opening Ceremony is Paris.
Screengrab by IOC via Getty Images
“I was not ready for that,” the talk show host said. “If you know anything about Céline right now, she feels this is her purpose.”
“I’m so sorry, I’m trying to hold it together,” Kelly continued, “But that she got through that, that was incredible.”
The 42-year-old added, “In my field, she is the gold winner for vocal athletes.”
And the moment coincided with another special occasion for Céline—who shares sons René-Charles, 23, and 13-year-old twins Nelson and Eddy with her late husband René Angélil—as she’d told Vogue France in April that her goal was to see the Eiffel Tower again.
When Celine sings, we’re all winners 🥲#ParisOlympics streaming now on Peacock. pic.twitter.com/1ytsIQwc48
— Peacock (@peacock) July 27, 2024
To that end, the “It’s All Coming Back to Me” singer has spent her time ensuring that she was as ready as she can be to perform for her fans again.
“The way I see it, I have two choices,” she explained. “Either I train like an athlete and work super hard, or I switch off and it’s over, I stay at home, listen to my songs, stand in front of my mirror and sing to myself.”
“I’ve chosen to work with all my body and soul, from head to toe, with a medical team,” she continued. “I want to be the best I can be.”
To see more incredible moments from the 2024 Olympics Opening Ceremony, keep reading.
Watch the 2024 Paris Olympics daily on NBC and Peacock until the summer games end with the Closing Ceremony on Sunday, Aug. 11, at 7 p.m. ET/PT.