Ella Scott
Celine Dion has revealed the method that made her comeback at the Paris Olympics possible after revealing her battle with Stiff Person Syndrome.
On Friday (July 27), the 56-year-old produced a sparkling rendition of Edith Piaf's ‘L'Hymne A L'Amour’ from the Eiffel Tower in Paris to close the 2024 Olympics opening ceremony.
The Canadian’s performance marked the first time she’d returned to the stage since making the difficult decision to cancel both her Las Vegas residency and Courage World Tour.
Dion initially stepped away from the limelight in 2021, citing health concerns, before later revealing she’d been diagnosed with 'stiff person syndrome' (SPS).
SPS is a rare neurological disorder commonly affecting women in their 40s and 50s, according to Mayo Clinic. Symptoms include muscle stiffness and spasms, as well as exaggerated startle responses that often result in falls.
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Earlier this summer, Dion gave fans a candid insight into her SPS struggles during her new Amazon Prime documentary, I Am: Celine Dion.
The movie, directed by Irene Taylor, has been afforded a rare 100 percent rating on the Rotten Tomatometer and sees the ‘I’m Alive’ singer giving an honest behind-the-scenes look at living with a life-altering illness.
Earlier this year, Dion spoke to French Vogue and revealed the methods she’d taken to get fit for her Parisian stage comeback.
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She admitted to the publication she’d been undergoing physical and vocal therapy each day to make good on her promised appearance.
"There’s one thing that will never stop, and that’s the will. It’s the passion. It’s the dream. It’s the determination,” Dion explained.
“The way I see it, I have two choices. Either I train like an athlete and work super hard, or I switch off and it’s over.
"I stay at home, listen to my songs, stand in front of the mirror and sing to myself.
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“I’ve chosen to work with all my body and soul, from head to toe, with a medical team. I want to be the best I can be. My goal is to see the Eiffel Tower again!”
Thankfully, the mom-of-three’s sheer grit and resolve paid off and she later took to Twitter to express how ‘honored’ she felt to perform at the French event.
“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 typed.
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“All of you have been so focused on your dream, and whether or not you take home a medal, I hope that being here means that it has come true for you!"
"You should all be so proud, we know how hard you have worked to be the best of the best. Stay focused, keep going, my heart is with you!”