The highly anticipated performance was also an emotional one. “What do you all say?” said a taxi driver in France earlier that day, looking up the translation of “s’évanouir,” which means “to faint.”
No one reported fainting, but Dion’s cover was greeted with thunderous applause and several announcers, including a speechless Kelly Clarkson, shed tears of joy.
Dion, who rose to global superstardom with hits such as “My Heart Will Go On” and “It’s All Coming Back to Me Now,” canceled her “Courage” world tour in May 2023 to undergo treatment.
As previously reported by The Washington Post, the chronic disease causes muscle stiffness and severe muscle spasms in the trunk and limbs. The disorder can affect posture, balance and muscle use. It is not known to affect lifespan, except in rare situations where the muscles used for breathing and swallowing are affected.
Five-time Grammy winner Dion arrived in France earlier this week to greet fans and fuel not-so-credible rumors that she’d perform at the Olympic opening ceremony. Dion herself hinted at a possible return in an interview with French Vogue in April: “I’ve chosen to work whole-heartedly, from head to toe, with my medical team. I want to be the best version of myself. My goal is to see the Eiffel Tower one more time!”
Dion has rarely made awards or red carpet appearances since her diagnosis, though she did receive a standing ovation when she showed up to the Grammys earlier this year to present Taylor Swift with Album of the Year. (The moment also garnered attention online, with many viewers claiming that Swift ignored Dion while accepting her award. Swift was later photographed embracing Dion backstage.)
In June, Dion attended the New York premiere of “I Am: Celine Dion,” a documentary that chronicles her life and diagnosis, including scenes in which she suffers a seizure. The documentary also shows Dion struggling to sing in the recording studio.
Friday’s performance was not Dion’s first at the Olympics: she previously sang “The Power of the Dream” at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.
Candace Buckner contributed to this report. This story has been updated.
