Celine Dion took the stage at the 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony for the first time in years, evoking tears in fans and celebrities alike .
The French Canadian singer took a step away from the spotlight when she was diagnosed with Stiff Person Syndrome . But now she's back as the star took to the stage in a white gown with thousands of pearl beads. Celine performed in the light of the Eiffel Tower as golden sparks reflected through the night's sky. The legendary musician belted out in song, inspiring awe from the audience and fans online.
Even Kelly Clarkson teared up while watching Celine make her major comeback. "I've been inspired. I've been dancing. I was not ready for that ending. I'm so sorry you looked at me and I was like, 'Wait," she said as she mimed tears rolling down her face. "If you know anything about Celine right now, she feels... this is her purpose."
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"If you know anything about what she's going through right now. I'm so sorry I'm trying to hold it together," Kelly continued. "She got through that. That was incredible and in my field she is the gold winner for vocal athletes like she is incredible."
On X, formerly known as Twitter, fans said they were getting goosebumps from her voice. "Glad to see Celine Dion doing better. She has such a beautiful powerful voice," wrote one fan, commending Celine's recovery. The international sensation has been open about how difficult working through her diagnosis has been.
Another fan added: "Very moving to see and listen to Céline Dion sing the anthem to love during the Olympics ceremony in France. It represents the strength to fight and fight against illness. 4 years was a long time. Hoping she can resume her career."
Some fans had no doubt that Celine was "one of the greats," especially after her moving performance. One said: "Wow..#CelineDion bringing the #OpeningCeremonyto an end in beautiful style with a French classic. So wonderful to hear her fabulous voice again. Amazing sight of the torch hovering. Bravo to the organisers for taking a creative, complex & artistic approach to this Ceremony."
"After all her health challenges, to see @celinedion crush her performance at the @olympics opening ceremony is just astounding. Everything she's overcome. A vocal athlete of the highest order. I'm so happy for her. What an inspiration!" penned another.
Many fans, who weren't particularly thrilled by the rest of the ceremony, branded Celine as a saving grace. "The musical performances have saved the #Olympics Opening Ceremony from being rather disappointing! Lady Gaga, Aya Nakamura and Celine Dion. Fair play Paris, fair play," one wrote. Another added: "Celine Dion saved it. Otherwise the worst opening ceremony in my lifetime."
Rumors first started swirling that Celine would be performing during the opening ceremony when she was spotted leaving her hotel in Paris near the Champs-Élysées.
The 2024 Olympics kicked off in Paris on July 26 and is set to run until April 11. The games bring together athletes globally to compete for one of sports' highest honors with events including swimming, field hockey, gymnastics, and more.
The opening ceremony, for the first time ever, took place outside of the stadium as a parade occurred via boats down the Seine. 10,500 athletes traveled to France for the occasion and the city is broke from tradition by putting athletes on stage and opening the game with the parade of athletes. 300,000 spectators were accommodated, mostly free, by the event as attendance took center stage in the city's goals.
The Seine was carefully watched ahead of the Olympics this year. Notably known as a place of sewage-pollution, Paris vowed to clean the waters to be usable during the games. Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo swam in the river ahead of the games to prove to the public that it was usable waters.
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