The Olympic Games Opening Ceremony began tonight at 7:30 p.m. Paris time, broadcasting at 1:30 p.m. ET in the U.S., and everything kicked off with Snoop Dogg carrying the Olympic Torch earlier today. Tonight, though, Celine Dion took to the Eiffel Tower to give a gorgeous, emotional performance.
Earlier in the day, Lady Gaga performed alongside dancers and a full jazz band on elaborate golden stairs. She sang convincingly in French, and later wore a giant fan of white feathers to match the pink feathers the dancers carried. According to Kelly Clarkson, who was hosting the ceremony on NBC along with Peyton Manning, shared that Gaga had “no rehearsal.”
Perched upon the Eiffel Tower in a sparkling white dress, Celine Dion gave a powerful, evocative performance in French accompanied by piano. She sang beautifully despite the issues she’s been having with her health.
Dion has been waging a battle against a rare neurological disorder, which she shared with her fans in 2022. Her new documentary, I Am: Celine Dion, gave viewers a unique look into how Stiff Person Syndrome affects her life and career, from the not-so-pretty aspects of it to the debilitating spasms she experiences. However, Dion has not let her disease get the better of her, and has been using her resources to invest in therapies and treatments, determined to return to the stage.
This is the first time she has performed since 2020, when the pandemic forced her to pause her tour. She then canceled the rest of the tour dates after her diagnosis in March 2022.
[RELATED: Celine Dion in Talks for Las Vegas Residency While Olympics Rumors Swirl: “It’s Basically a Done Deal”]
Celine Dion and Lady Gaga Seen Around Paris Prior to Performance at Olympic Opening Ceremony
Additionally, Dion has enjoyed being in Paris for the ceremony, as she has shared photos and comments on social media praising the city’s beauty.
“Every time I return to Paris, I remember there’s so much beauty and joy still to experience in the world. I love Paris, and I’m so happy to be back!” she wrote on Twitter on Wednesday, July 24.
Lady Gaga was also seen practicing for the ceremony in Paris, most notably on a piano which was floating on a platform in the River Seine.
As for Celine Dion, she spoke with Vanity Fair at the premiere of her documentary last month about her health and her determination to return to the stage.
“When life imposes something on you, you have two options: You deal with it, or you don’t,” she said. “I want to deal with it because I am a mother … And that is what keeps me positive. I have to manage it and tell myself that. There are moments that are hard. I have days that are better than others. It’s not going away. I have to deal with this, and I am.”
She then added resolutely, “I will sing again, that’s for sure.”
Featured Image by Larry Marano/Shutterstock
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