PARIS – Canadian pop icon Celine Dion made an emotional return to the live stage, performing her first full concert in six years before a sold-out crowd of 30,000 fans at the Plenitude Arena after a prolonged battle with Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS).
The 58-year-old vocalist opened her set with the French-language hit “On ne change pas” before tearfully addressing the audience to express her gratitude for their overwhelming support.
“These are tears of joy. I am so happy to see all of you,” Dion said, addressing the arena in both French and English. “Tonight, I want to sing for you, sing for myself, and sing for life.”
The concert marks Dion’s official return following her diagnosis with SPS—a rare and incurable neurological disorder causing debilitating muscle spasms—which previously forced her to cancel multiple world tour dates.
The Paris performance kicks off a 26-date residency, with all 16 scheduled shows for September and October already sold out, while an additional 10 concerts are slated for May 2027.
Dion noted that preparing for her stage comeback required an athletic-level regimen, incorporating daily vocal therapy, ballet, and pilates to manage her physical condition.
French media reported that notable attendees at the landmark event included former United States First Lady Michelle Obama. -MalayaDailyToday
