From the start, the 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony was touted to be one for the historical past books, swapping an open-air boat parade down the Seine instead of conventional stadium fare for the primary time. And, as viewers realized as they watched the occasion unfold, for an additional purpose, too: The opening ceremony marked a extremely anticipated return to stage for five-time Grammy winner Céline Dion.
Singing from the primary stage of the glittering Eiffel Tower, Dion belted a wonderful rendition of “Hymne à l’amour” by Edith Piaf to shut out the ceremony. It was the primary time the singer carried out since being identified with stiff particular person syndrome in December 2022. The uncommon autoimmune neurological dysfunction—there are fewer than 5,000 individuals dwelling with it within the US, in keeping with the Genetic and Uncommon Illness Data Heart (GARD)—mostly causes muscle stiffness and painful spasms that may worsen over time. There’s no treatment for the progressive dysfunction, however drugs and different therapies may also help handle it.
In an emotional Instagram video two and a half years in the past, Dion shared her prognosis and introduced she would postpone her 2023 tour to deal with her well being. “I’ve to confess it’s been a wrestle,” she mentioned within the video. “All I do know is singing. It’s what I’ve accomplished all my life. It’s what I like to do essentially the most.”
Dion mentioned she had been coping with issues along with her well being for a “very long time” earlier than sharing her prognosis. And the consequences she’d been experiencing have been far-reaching. “Sadly, these spasms have an effect on each side of my every day life, generally inflicting difficulties after I stroll and never permitting me to make use of my vocal cords to sing the way in which I’m used to,” she mentioned.
Some spasms with stiff particular person syndrome can generate sufficient pressure to fracture bone; in reality, in an interview with Hoda Kotb on the Immediately present simply two months in the past, Dion mentioned one was so extreme that it broke her rib.
So it’s not shocking that the spasms could make singing troublesome, too. “It’s like someone is strangling you. It’s like someone is attempting to push your larynx this manner,” Dion mentioned on the Immediately present, whereas pushing towards her neck along with her hand. “It will get right into a spasm.”
In April, Dion advised Vogue France she’s studying to reside with the dysfunction by present process athletic, bodily, and vocal remedy 5 days per week to assist handle the signs. “The best way I see it, I’ve two selections. Both I practice like an athlete and work tremendous onerous, or I change off and it’s over, I keep at house, take heed to my songs, stand in entrance of my mirror and sing to myself,” she mentioned. “I’ve chosen to work with all my physique and soul, from head to toe, with a medical crew. I need to be the most effective I may be.”
On the time, Dion wouldn’t touch upon whether or not she would (or might) return to the stage, however she was adamant about her resolve to maintain attempting. “There’s one factor that may by no means cease, and that’s the desire. It’s the eagerness. It’s the dream. It’s the willpower,” she mentioned.
To Vogue France, Dion shared that her objective was “to see the Eiffel Tower once more,” and she or he did that and extra on the Olympics opening ceremony, commanding the primary stage of the historic landmark whereas sporting a beaded white robe with tassels. Dion’s return was a riveting near a formidable show of French artwork, tradition, historical past and group on the opening ceremony. From Woman Gaga’s rendition of “Mon truc en plume” alongside the Seine to a lavish mild present on the Eiffel Tower, the kick-off to the Paris Video games didn’t disappoint. So yep, the opening ceremony began off on an inspiring notice, which probably foreshadows extra stirring performances to return within the subsequent couple of weeks.
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