Will Celine Dion Perform at the Paris Olympics?
By Movieguide® Contributor
As this year’s Olympic games get closer and closer, the same question is on everybody’s mind — will Celine Dion perform?
“Celine has made no secret of her desire to make it back to the stage, and Paris would be the perfect opportunity for her to do that,” a source told The Sun. “Unlike other offers which are full shows, making an appearance at the opening ceremony would see Celine performing just one song.”
The source continued, “The formal offer to perform was made earlier this year, and Celine is working around the clock to make it happen. She’s made huge leaps and is getting stronger every day, but she’s not out of the woods yet. Everyone has their fingers crossed it is able to happen. It will be quite the moment.”
TODAY host Hoda Kotb weighed in on the rumors, pointing to a conversation that happened when she interviewed the singer earlier this year.
“They were shooting us doing that walk-and-talk,” she shared. “And her manager was off-camera. And I go, ‘So what’s going on, when are you performing again?’ And she goes, ‘Can I tell her?’ And her manager goes, ‘No!’”
Co-host Savannah Guthrie guessed she’ll perform at the Olympics, to which Kotb replied, “You never know!”
Dion revealed she had been diagnosed with Stiff Person Syndrome in 2022, which led to her canceling concerts and stepping back from public life. However, she has started making public appearances in the last few months, and many are hopeful Dion will start performing again.
“I don’t want to sound pretentious, but [singing] has never been difficult. I got scared that it was harder. I was like, that’s not supposed to be hard,” Dion said of her efforts to start making new music. “I have a wonderful coach vocally, and physically [my treatment plan] is making such a difference. We’re talking about putting a show together, and I have so many ideas. I can’t wait.”
Movieguide® previously reported on Dion’s diagnosis:
Celine Dion is opening up about the physical effects Stiff Person Syndrome has had on her, from difficulty singing to muscle spasms that have led to broken ribs.
In an interview with TODAY’s Hoda Kotb, Dion revealed that singing with Stiff Person Syndrome feels “like somebody’s strangling you,” adding, “it’s like somebody’s pushing your larynx, pharynx.”
The singer also shared that her condition can also cause spasms, specifically in the abdomen and spine.
“It feels like if I point my feet, it will stay in [that position],” Dion explained. “Or, if I cook — because I love to cook — my fingers, my hands will get in position. It’s cramping, but it’s like in a position of like, you cannot unlock them.”
She added, “Sometimes, when it’s very severe, it can break some ribs.”
Dion elaborated on her decision to go public with her diagnosis as well. She started noticing symptoms in 2008 but did not announce she had Stiff Person Syndrome until 2022 when she had to start postponing and canceling shows.
“I could not do this anymore,” she explained. “Lying for me, the burden was too much. Lying to the people who got me where I am today, I could not do it anymore.”
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