Celine Dion launched her Paris residency this weekend, signaling a long-awaited return to performing live.
The Canadian icon behind My Heart Will Go On, who continues to contend with stiff-person syndrome, fought back tears as she delivered her hits.
In a video shared to Instagram by a concertgoer, Dion appeared visibly moved, singing through the tears as the audience applauded on the first night of a 26-date engagement at the Paris La Défense Arena.
The Grammy winner paused to acknowledge her emotion, telling the crowd, “I promised not to cry. Tonight I want to sing for you, for me, for life,” CBC News reported in Canada.
“Finally,” she continued. “It’s amazing we’re all together. I had made a promise. I vowed to come back and take the stage again.”
Dion then thanked her fans for their support and patience before delivering a heartfelt rendition of her 1996 hit Because You Loved Me.
The singer first announced the residency in March via YouTube.
Dion was diagnosed with stiff-person syndrome in December 2022. The Power of Love singer’s medical issues forced her to cancel her Courage world tour in May 2023, after which she put her career on hold as she focused on her health.
She recently made a rare appearance at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
