Celine Dion made an emotional return to the stage Tuesday, marking her first live performance in six years with the opening night of her 26-show residency at the Plenitude Arena in Paris.
The 58-year-old singer, who is battling stiff-person syndrome, opened the concert with her French-language song "On Ne Change Pas." Videos circulating online show Dion becoming visibly emotional, with tears welling up as she addressed the crowd.
"These are, of course, tears of joy. I’m so delighted to see you," Dion told the audience, according to People. "I made a promise to come back, to be back on stage. So here I am, singing for you and singing for me, singing life!"
Dion also expressed gratitude to her fans for their support and patience during her hiatus. "I am everything I am because you loved me," she said before performing her hit "Because You Loved Me."
The singer's career was initially interrupted in 2020 by the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to postponements of her "Courage World Tour." In January 2022, she canceled the North American leg, citing that her recovery from severe muscle spasms was taking longer than anticipated.
Months later, Dion revealed her diagnosis of stiff-person syndrome (SPS), a rare autoimmune movement disorder affecting the central nervous system. She explained that the condition sometimes made walking difficult and impacted her ability to sing as she once did.
"All I know is singing," Dion said in a 2022 video shared with fans. "It’s what I’ve done all my life. And it’s what I love to do the most."
In 2024, Dion offered glimpses of her progress. She appeared at the Grammy Awards to present the album of the year award and shared her health journey in the Prime Video documentary "I Am: Celine Dion." In July 2024, she performed Edith Piaf’s "L’Hymne à l’amour" at the Paris Olympics opening ceremony, her first live performance since her diagnosis announcement.
Dion's Paris residency is expected to feature many of her well-known songs. Despite the challenges posed by her condition, she has expressed determination to continue performing.
"I’m not giving up," Dion stated in 2023. "And I can’t wait to see you again."
