2024 Olympics: Céline Dion Performs for the First Time in 4 Years During Opening Ceremony
A new day has come for Céline Dion.
The five-time Grammy winner—who's been battling stiff-person syndrome—sang Édith Piaf's "Hymne A L'Amour" at the Eiffel Tower during the 2024 Paris Olympics' Opening Ceremony, her first performance for the public since 2020.
In recent years, Dion has been unable to tour due to her health struggles, which include muscle spasms.
The 56-year-old—who shares sons René-Charles, 23, and 13-year-old twins Nelson and Eddy with her late husband René Angélil—even gave fans a glimpse into her harrowing journey in her recent documentary, I Am: Céline Dion.
"For a long time—for so many years—I have felt the love and the support of my fans around the world," she told E! News in June. "They helped me to get where I am today."
And while she was hesitant at first to share her battle with the world, Dion decided to do the documentary to offer some insight on what she's been dealing with.
read2024 Olympics: Why Simone Biles Skipped the Opening Ceremony in Paris
"Because I respect my fans, my family, my kids, myself," she added, "they deserve to know."
Screengrab by IOC via Getty Images
And Dion wants her journey to help those suffering feel less alone.
"I hope that this will give them wings and strength to reach out and talk to people and say it's worth it," she explained to E! News. "We're all worth it, and I'm just thankful."
When Celine sings, we're all winners 🥲#ParisOlympics streaming now on Peacock. pic.twitter.com/1ytsIQwc48
— Peacock (@peacock) July 27, 2024
It was just over a year ago that Dion canceled her Courage World Tour to focus on her health.
"I'm so sorry to disappoint all of you once again," she wrote in a May 2023 Instagram message. "I'm working really hard to build back my strength, but touring can be very difficult even when you're 100%. It's not fair to you to keep postponing the shows, and even though it breaks my heart, it's best that we cancel everything now until I'm really ready to be back on stage again."
Screengrab by IOC via Getty Images
"I want you all to know, I'm not giving up," she concluded, "and I can't wait to see you again!"
And now that time has come. Keep reading for more must-see moments from the Opening Ceremony…
photosView More Photos From 2024 Paris Olympics Opening CeremonyWatch 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.
