Celine Dion Greets Paris Fans Amid Residency Return

Celine Dion offered an animated greeting to fans gathered outside her Paris hotel on Friday, as she prepared for upcoming performances.

Dion, 58, leaned out of her car to wave at the crowds, assisted by her bodyguard. She was dressed in a stylish faux-fur coat, high-waisted black trousers, and sunglasses. Her hair was styled in a neat low bun, and she carried a £2,690 The Row clutch.

The singer is in the French capital for a five-week residency, marking her return to the stage after the remainder of her Courage world tour was canceled in 2023 due to her health.

In December 2022, Dion announced her diagnosis with Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS), a condition causing muscle stiffness and painful spasms. At its most severe, SPS has impacted her ability to walk and sing.

During the opening night of her Paris residency, Dion shared that she has chosen to make her health battle "my reason for living." She delivered an emotional speech, expressing gratitude for her fans' support. "I have promised myself not to cry. Here we are… I'm standing on stage in this city that I love so much, thanks to your support and your love," she stated.

Dion described her recovery journey as challenging, marked by "unplanned stops along the way," but expressed determination. "I believed in it. And here it is. The sun – the sun is here. The sun, right in front of me," she said, referring to her return to the stage.

She continued, "I made a promise to be back on stage. So here I am, singing for you and singing for me, singing live! Thank you so very much for your support, your patience and if I may say so, I am everything I am because you loved me."

Reflecting on her condition, Dion stated, "By living with it day in and day out, I've come to terms with it. And I've decided to make it my reason for living."

Dion's rehabilitation program has included new medication, physical therapy, vocal therapy, and immunotherapy. She has been engaging in 90-minute Pilates sessions three times a week, along with twice-weekly ballet and barre classes to build strength.

Her home gym is equipped with weights, a treadmill, and a reformer machine, contributing to increased flexibility. She described her recovery as a process of "falling and getting back up repeatedly" and expressed pride in achieving what her body was not "born to do."

Dion's challenges were detailed in her 2024 documentary, "I Am: Celine Dion." The upcoming residency is scheduled for 16 shows in autumn 2026 and 10 additional dates in May 2027. Tickets for her comeback announcement in March sold out instantly.