Kelly Clarkson Tearful And Speechless After Celine Dion’s Performance At Paris Olympics

Her career wowed music lovers the world over, and now, the latest development in her story has inspired fans to dream of her triumph. Amidst a battle with stiff person syndrome, Celine Dion took to the stage for the opening ceremony at the 2024 Paris Olympics, and fellow singer Kelly Clarkson was awed beyond words.

42-year-old Clarkson was part of NBC’s broadcasting team covering the opening ceremony, which kicked off in gilded, opulent splendor on July 26 along the Seine River. She was joined by Mike Tirico and Peyton Manning. None of them held back their joy and wonder seeing Dion back in her element, pulling off the ultimate comeback after the ” Because You Loved Me” singer spoke about returning to performing—and on the ultimate world stage, no less. Here is a sample of the powerful reactions Dion has sparked with her graceful strength.

Celine Dion brings Kelly Clarkson to tears with her powerful performance at the Paris Olympics opening ceremony

Dion sang at the pivotal moment when the Olympic Cauldron—for Paris, themed around a hot air balloon—was set aflame. Right on cue, Dion sang “Hymne A L’Amour,” a classic by Edith Piaf. Dion stood at the base of the Eifel Tower as the Olympic rings lit up above her, truly making Dion’s story part of the journey of perseverance required to make it to this elite stage.

The symbolism was not lost on Clarkson or her colleagues as they marveled at Dion and what she’d accomplished that night.

57-year-old Tirico gasped, “Wow!” and summed up the distance Dion has come, explaining, “Céline Dion, who has been dealing with a rare progressive neurological disorder, and has not appeared very often, performing in public, with… a performance fitting of this amazing night.”

A visibly tearful Clarkson barely managed to add, “I actually can’t talk.”

“That was incredible,” Tirico gushed.

Fighting just as hard as the athletes

Clarkson also drove home just how remarkable this feat was for Dion. “That was really beautiful. People don’t know her story,” stressed Clarkson. “What she’s been going through physically… it’s just incredible what she’s overcome and have that moment.”

Part of Dion’s story has been made known to the world thanks to the documentary I Am: Celine Dion. It offers an intimate chronicling of her struggles with SPS, including moments in which Dion loses total control of her movements and suffers a seizure.

It has been called “upsetting” to watch, but Dion did not want any of the vulnerable content cut from the final product. This way, director Irene Taylor and Dion herself agreed, “Now people will understand.”

@nbcolympics Kelly Clarkson gives Celine Dion the gold medal for vocal athletes. 🥺❤️ 📺 #ParisOlympics Opening Ceremony on NBC and Peacock #openingceremony #kellyclarkson #celinedion ♬ original sound – NBC Olympics & Paralympics