Céline Dion is getting all her flowers after giving a breathtaking performance at the 2024 Olympics opening ceremony.
The legend gave an electrifying performance in Paris and has been the belle of the ball ever since she dropped the microphone that night with accolades from all corners of the world.
Celine Dion braved the physical constraint of her stiff-person syndrome and made the Olympics opening a night everyone will remember.
Céline Dion Handed Multiple Flowers In Paris
The musician appeared on the streets of Paris right after the show, decked out in a denim hoodie over a long-sleeved shirt for the cold night on July 26.
Dion rocked her signature smokey eye makeup and sleek ponytail as she grabbed a single rose flower from a fan and appeared to have a tear in her eye.
The Canadian ditched her glamorous look for her performance under the Effiel Tower and appeared super comfy to meet with the fans on Friday night.
Dion’s performance at the opening ceremony marked a huge comeback for her sterling musical career, and it definitely felt good to hear her sonorous voice reverberate across the streets of Paris and around the world once again.
The ‘My Heart Will Go On’ Singer Performed For Free At The Olympics
One would have speculated that the singer was paid millions of dollars for a performance of this magnitude. Shockingly, Dion’s energy that night was fueled by pure passion and fan love at zero cost.
The Canadian delight delivered a soulful live rendition of Edith Piaf’s “L’Hymne A L’Amour” on that Friday night, marking her first public performance since she revealed her health diagnosis.
Per UNILAD, she was rumored to have been paid $2 million for one song at the huge event, but that was debunked by organizers of the event, saying:
“Contrary to information relayed in the media, the performers who will perform during the Paris 2024 Games ceremonies will not receive a fee for their performance.”
The Olympic Committee continued, “This commitment on their part – under these conditions – reflects their desire to participate in a historic event for France and for the world of sport.”
They concluded that the Paris 2024 committee covered the technical production and performance organization costs, as is customary. They informed the public that the Paris 2024 budget is 96% financed by probate bodies and public contributions do not pay artistic teams.
The Icon Was Honored To Perform At The Event
Dion took to Instagram to reflect on her feat in an electrifying caption declaring:
“I’m honored to have performed tonight for the Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony, and so full of joy to be back in one of my very favorite cities! Most of all, I’m so happy to be celebrating these amazing athletes, with all their stories of sacrifice and determination, pain and perseverance.”
She encouraged the athlete to see their presence at the games as a dream come true and extolled them to be proud of how hard they have “worked to be the best of the best. Stay focused, keep going, my heart is with you! – Celine xx…”
Dion’s last time on stage was in 2020 and she had to cancel her scheduled world tour last year due to her condition, which reportedly affects the brain and spinal cord and causes muscle stiffness, posture problems, sensory issues, and painful spasms.
The Vocalist Described Her Experience With Stiff Person Syndrome
Last month, the 56-year-old opened up about her struggles living with a rare neurological condition in the snippet of her upcoming primetime special with Hoda Kotb.
The Blast reported that Dion shared that the disease has caused her to face serious challenges in her daily routine and impacted her voice negatively.
“It’s like somebody is strangling you,” as she demonstrated by pressing inward on her throat with her fingers, saying, “It’s like somebody is pushing your larynx/pharynx this way.”
She continued that it was difficult to go higher or lower with her voice, and “it gets into a spasm” and stiffness, which has caused her several injuries and discomfort.
At first, the condition began in the throat and she waived it as a normal illness. However, the spasms and stiffness became a severe problem and affected other vital parts of her body.
“It can also be in the abdominal, can be in the spine, can be in the ribs. But it feels like if I point my feet, they will stay in a (stuck position), or if I cook — because I love to cook — my fingers, my hands, will get in a position,” noted the singer.
While the singer stayed off the stage, her sister Claudette revealed that she kept receiving an overwhelming amount of support from the fans, noting:
“Some people have lost hope because it’s all illness that isn’t well known. If only you knew the number of phone calls the Foundation gets about Celine! People tell us they love her, and they’re praying for her.”
Claudette explained that the award-winning singer received numerous presents and blessed crucifixes, but it did little to reduce her sadness about her sister’s condition, as she has always been disciplined and worked hard.
Good luck to Céline Dion as she bravely continues to battle the disease and do what she loves!
