Celine Dion leaves fans teary-eyed with comeback at Olympic opening ceremony
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Céline Dion has returned.
Dion ended the lengthy opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympics, which occurred on Friday, by performing a strong version of Edith Piaf's "L'Hymne à l'amour" from the Eiffel Tower's first stage.
The event along the Seine River was the first time Dion performed live since revealing her diagnosis of the rare and incurable neurological condition known as Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS) in 2022.
"I couldn't stop crying during Celine Dion's performance," one fan posted on Twitter, while another fan stated that the singer's show was "definitely worth the anticipation."
"Celine Dion delivered an incredibly moving performance," one person complimented. "Despite all the challenges she's faced, she brought me to tears with her talent."
"Queen Celine Dion has returned!!!" someone else mentioned.
Prior to her successful return to music, Dion posted on Twitter: "I'm overjoyed to be here with all of you this week! I also want to give a big thanks to the local police for ensuring our safety." She also uploaded pictures of herself meeting fans.
The event began with an impressive performance by Lady Gaga, who sang a pre-recorded version of Zizi Jeanmaire's "Mon Truc en Plumes." Gaga wore a black bodysuit and stood in the middle of the stage with a team of dancers who spun and walked around her while holding pink, fluffy fans.
News started spreading earlier this week that Dion and Gaga were going to perform at the opening ceremony. This speculation arose when Dion was seen arriving at the Royal Monceau Hotel near the Champs-Élysées, where Gaga was also staying.
There were rumors going around that Dion and Gaga were going to perform a duet of Édith Piaf's timeless song "La Vie en Rose."
The extended event featured performances by singer Aya Nakamura from France and heavy metal band Gojira from France and Mali.
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During the music performances, the Olympic torch was passed between famous athletes like Serena Williams, Rafael Nadal, Tony Parker, and Charles Coste. Teddy Riner and Marie-José Pérec, both Olympic champions, lit the cauldron at the end of the event, watching it float into the night sky.
The event organizers decided to switch things up and ditch the usual stadium setting. Instead, they opted to highlight the beauty and sounds of the city, with athletes making their way along the waterway in a stunning presentation.
In spite of the weather, a large crowd gathered on the shore to witness the event.
Track The Independent's live blog for the latest updates on the Paris 2024 Olympics.
