A new day has come.
Celine Dion delivered a powerful comeback performance to close the Paris 2024 Olympics opening ceremony on Friday, singing French icon Édith Piaf’s “Hymne à l’amour” from high atop the Eiffel Tower.
For her first performance since revealing her stiff person syndrome diagnosis in December 2022, Dion, 56, dressed for maximum drama in Dior Haute Couture.
Her silver embellished turtleneck gown was covered with sequins and cascading strands of shimmering beaded fringe.
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Dion wore her hair slicked back in a bun to keep the focus on her dress — and her powerhouse voice — and finished the look with smoky eye makeup and delicate diamond earrings.
The style icon seemed to tease her choice of designer in the days leading up to her performance, stepping out in a logo-covered Dior tracksuit and elegant black Dior midi dress while coming and going from her hotel in the French capital.
Her fellow performers Lady Gaga and Aya Nakamura were both also dressed by Dior for their performances.
Earlier this week, a source confirmed to Pvnew that Dion was set to take the stage during the opening ceremony, while an Olympics spokesperson told us she wouldn’t be paid for the major moment.
“Contrary to some media reports, the performers at the Paris 2024 Games ceremonies will not receive a fee for their performance,” they said. “Their decision to perform under these conditions reflects their desire to be part of a historic event for France and for the world of sports.”
Dion’s triumphant performance also marks a major milestone in her battle with SPS, a rare neurological condition that causes muscle stiffness and painful spasms.
While the five-time Grammy winner’s diagnosis forced her to halt her Las Vegas residency and cancel her “Courage” tour, 2024’s been a banner year for the songstress thus far.
In February, Dion made a surprise appearance at the Grammys to present Taylor Swift with the album of the year award, looking elegant as ever in straight-off-the-runway Valentino Haute Couture and a jaw-dropping Tiffany & Co. necklace set with over 12 carats of dazzling diamonds.
She then landed the May 2024 cover of Vogue France, posing in looks from Alaïa, Balenciaga and Schiaparelli.
“I am honored to be doing [this shoot] because although I had better health and beauty at 30, I didn’t get asked to do one then,” Dion told the magazine. “Today, I am a woman, who feels strong and positive about the future. One day at a time.”
And in June, the “My Heart Will Go On” hitmaker made her long-awaited red carpet return at the premiere of her documentary “I Am: Celine Dion,” dressed in head-to-toe Dior.
Now, with a rumored new Vegas residency in the works and a watched-by-millions Olympics performance under her belt, it would appear Dion’s comeback is just getting started.
