Celine Dion Sparkles With the Eiffel Tower in Crystal-embellished Dior Gown During Paris Olympics 2024 Opening Ceremony Performance
Celine Dion is officially back. The singer, who stepped away from the spotlight after being diagnosed with stiff person syndrome in December 2022, made her big comeback during the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics 2024 on Friday. Dion performed a rendition of édith Piaf’s “Hymne A L’Amour” in the Eiffel Tower.
Dion wore a sparkling silver gown with more than 500 crystal embellishments dripping throughout. The Dior couture number featured long sleeves and a high-neck silhouette.
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This was Celine Dion’s second Olympic moment in her career. In 1996, the singer performed “The Power of the Dream,” the official anthem for the Centennial Olympic Games, during the opening ceremony of the Atlanta Olympics. Dion donated her entire fee for the performance to support Canadian athletes.
Dion was diagnosed with stiff person syndrome in December 2022, after experiencing symptoms for over a decade. The condition affected various aspects of her life, causing muscle stiffness, painful spasms and difficulty with movement. The singer recently shared her story in the documentary “I Am: Céline Dion,” which is available on Prime Video.
The opening ceremony was created by artistic director Thomas Jolly, a French actor and stage director with experience with large-scale productions. He was behind a 24-hour Shakespearean series in 2022 and the revival of the musical “Starmania,” which he co-directed with Louis Vuitton’s Nicolas Ghesquière and Victor Le Masne in 2021. Lady Gaga and French singer Aya Nakamura also performed in the ceremony wearing Dior looks.
The opening ceremony took place along the Seine River. It featured the traditional parade of athletes from 206 national Olympic committees traveling on nearly 100 boats. The parade passed by famous Parisian landmarks such as Notre Dame, the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower.
The 2024 Paris Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad, will take place from July 26 to Aug. 11. This edition marks the centenary of the last time Paris hosted the Games in 1924.
Paris 2024 Olympics 2024 Opening Ceremony Photos, Live Updates
Launch Gallery: Paris 2024 Olympics 2024 Opening Ceremony Photos, Live Updates
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