Story by Carla Feric
Celine Dion was brought to tears on stage during her emotional comeback concert in Paris, telling fans she had kept her pledge to return following major health struggles.
The French-Canadian singer, 58, kicked off her residency at the Plenitude arena in La Défense on Saturday (12 September), marking her first full-length show in nearly six years.
Dion’s break from performing came in 2022, when she revealed that she had been diagnosed with stiff person syndrome (SPS) diagnosis and cancelled her Courage world tour.
According to the NHS, the rare autoimmune disorder is a neurological condition that causes progressive muscular stiffness and spasms, and has no cure.
On stage on Saturday, the five-time Grammy winner was filmed crying during her emotional return to the stage before delivering a speech to tens of thousands of fans in the crowd.
“It’s amazing we are all together,” Dion addressed the cheering audience.
“I made a promise; I made a promise to come back and to be back on stage. Here I am singing for you, and singing for me. Thank you so very much for your support, your patience. I am everything I am because you love me.”
Dion wore a simple, floor-length strapless black gown and accessorised with an ornate silver choker necklace, with her blonde hair in a slicked-back style.
Popular demand recently led the star to extend her ongoing Paris residency to 16 concerts, with further shows scheduled until 14 October.
The “My Heart Will Go On” singer had previously cancelled a Las Vegas residency owing to health concerns in 2021, revealing her diagnosis the following year.
Dion paused performing until 2024, when she made a brief appearance singing at the Paris Olympics opening ceremony, and has repeatedly expressed her desire to return to the stage.
Her return was revealed on her birthday on 30 March via an Instagram post, alongside videos displayed beneath the lights of the Eiffel Tower.
Best known for tracks including “Think Twice” and “It’s All Coming Back To Me Now”, the singer will perform her popular hits in both French and English.
