2024 Olympics: Céline Dion Performs for the First Time in 4 Years During Opening Ceremony
A new day has come for Céline Dion.
The five-time Grammy winner—who's been battling stiff-person syndrome—sang Édith Piaf's "Hymne A L'Amour" at the Eiffel Tower during the 2024 Paris Olympics' Opening Ceremony, her first performance for the public since 2020.
In recent years, Dion has been unable to tour due to her health struggles, which include muscle spasms.
The 56-year-old—who shares sons René-Charles, 23, and 13-year-old twins Nelson and Eddy with her late husband René Angélil—even gave fans a glimpse into her harrowing journey in her recent documentary, I Am: Céline Dion.
"For a long time—for so many years—I have felt the love and the support of my fans around the world," she told E! News in June. "They helped me to get where I am today."
And while she was hesitant at first to share her battle with the world, Dion decided to do the documentary to offer some insight on what she's been dealing with.
"Because I respect my fans, my family, my kids, myself," she added, "they deserve to know."
And Dion wants her journey to help those suffering feel less alone.
"I hope that this will give them wings and strength to reach out and talk to people and say it's worth it," she explained to E! News. "We're all worth it, and I'm just thankful."
It was just over a year ago that Dion canceled her Courage World Tour to focus on her health.
"I'm so sorry to disappoint all of you once again," she wrote in a May 2023 Instagram message. "I'm working really hard to build back my strength, but touring can be very difficult even when you're 100%. It's not fair to you to keep postponing the shows, and even though it breaks my heart, it's best that we cancel everything now until I'm really ready to be back on stage again."
"I want you all to know, I'm not giving up," she concluded, "and I can't wait to see you again!"
And now that time has come. Keep reading for more must-see moments from the Opening Ceremony...
The Eiffel Tower and Opening Ceremony stands are illuminated with color in honor of the French flag.
The Olympic Cauldron takes flight after being lit at the 2024 Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony.
Céline Dion closes out the show with a powerful performance atop the Eiffel Tower.
Serena Williams, Carl Lewis, Nadia Comaneci and Rafael Nadal light up the night with the Olympic torch.
French soccer star Zinedine Zidane passes the Olympic torch to Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal.
The Eiffel Tower lights up the night.
Athletes from around the world gather in front of the Eiffel Tower for Opening Ceremony.
The mystery horse rider carries the Olympic flag to the Place du Trocadero.
The Parade of Nations travel along the Seine river.
Flags from countries competing in the Olympics fly high.
Pianist Sofiane Pamart and singer Juliette Armanet perform "Imagine" from a float on the Seine.
The Refugee Olympic Team—which is made up of 37 athletes representing millions worldwide who have been forcibly displaced—share a loving message.
Musicians at the Opening Ceremony keep dry in their rain ponchos.
The Olympic flag is carried down the Seine on a galloping metal horse.
Team Australia is all-smiles as their boat passes by the Eiffel Tower.
The masked torchbearer runs along the Musee d'Orsay during the Opening Ceremony.
Despite the wet weather, Team Spain marches forward to the Place du Trocadero.
Team Italy's flag bearers Arianna Errigo and Gianmarco Tamberi snap a selfie together.
The Eiffel Tower is decorated with the Olympic rings.
Swedish athletes greet the crowd during the Parade of Nations.
Team Liberia captures all the sights and sounds from their boat.
The Eiffel Tower awaits the arrival of the world's athletes.
Jordan's Rama Abo-Alrub and Saleh Elsharabaty bear their country's flag together.
The Bahamian flag waves atop the country's boat on the Seine river.
Switzerland is ready to bring the heat to this summer's Games.
Team USA makes their debut on the Seine.
But that didn't stop these rooftop dancers from turning out a spectacular performance.
Yet the Cabo Verde Olympic team didn't let it dim their joy.
Reproductions of some of the most famous paintings from Paris' Louvre Museum decorate the River Seine.
The athletes proudly wave their nation's flag.
Watch the 2024 Paris Olympics starting Friday, July 26, with the Opening Ceremony at 7:30 p.m. ET/PT on NBC and Peacock.