Céline Dion has made a highly anticipated return to the stage, opening her Paris residency on Saturday at the Paris La Défense Arena.
The Grammy-winning singer, who has been living with stiff person syndrome, became emotional during the opening night of the 26-date concert run as she performed some of her biggest hits.
A video shared on Instagram by a concertgoer showed Dion fighting back tears while singing, as the audience applauded and cheered her return.
Addressing her emotions, the “My Heart Will Go On” singer told the crowd, “I promised not to cry. Tonight I want to sing for you, for me, for life,” Canada’s CBC News reported.
“Finally,” she continued. “It’s amazing we’re all together. I made a promise. I made a promise to come back and be back on stage.”
Dion subsequently expressed gratitude to her fans for their continued support and patience before performing a heartfelt rendition of her 1996 hit, “Because You Loved Me.”
The singer had announced the Paris residency in March through YouTube, setting the stage for her return to live performances following a lengthy absence.
Dion was diagnosed with stiff person syndrome in December 2022. The condition led to significant health challenges and forced her to cancel her Courage World Tour in May 2023 as she stepped away from her career to focus on her recovery.
Her return to the stage marks another significant moment in her journey back to performing. She had previously made a rare public appearance at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she performed at the opening ceremony.
The emotional start to her Paris residency was met with a warm reception from fans, underscoring the significance of her long-awaited return to live music.
