Céline Dion’s emotional comeback performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony left many, including Kelly Clarkson, deeply moved.
On Friday, July 26, Dion took the stage at the base of the Eiffel Tower, performing Édith Piaf’s classic “Hymne À L’Amour” as the Olympic cauldron, inspired by hot-air balloons, was lit and soared into the sky.
Dion, 56, dazzled in a stunning white Dior haute couture gown designed by Maria Grazia Chiuri, with the illuminated Olympic Rings casting a glow above her. Her performance marked her first live appearance since her diagnosis with stiff-person syndrome, a rare and progressive neurological disorder revealed in December 2022.
Kelly Clarkson, who was part of NBC’s broadcast team covering the event alongside Mike Tirico and Peyton Manning, was visibly moved by Dion’s performance.
“I actually can’t talk,” Clarkson said, her voice trembling with emotion. “That was incredible,” Tirico responded, acknowledging the significance of Dion’s appearance given her health struggles.
Clarkson, 42, continued to praise Dion, noting, “That was really beautiful. People don’t know her story. What she’s been going through physically… it’s just incredible what she’s overcome to have that moment.” She added, “She’s a vocal athlete. She’s incredible,” while struggling to hold back tears.
The emotional impact of Dion’s performance extended beyond Clarkson. Today show hosts Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb were also seen deeply touched by the event.
Dion’s battle with stiff-person syndrome, which affects the central nervous system and can lead to severe physical symptoms, has been well-documented.
Her recent Prime Video documentary, I Am: Céline Dion, which premiered in June, provides an in-depth look at her journey with the disease. The condition, described by the Stiff Person Syndrome Foundation, can cause debilitating muscle rigidity, pain, and anxiety, significantly impacting daily life.
Despite these challenges, Dion has shown remarkable resilience and determination. “I’m working very hard and tomorrow will be even harder. Tomorrow is another day. But 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,” she said.
The Opening Ceremony, which marked the official start of the Games, set the stage for the coming weeks of athletic competition and celebration.
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