It was the moment that captured the hearts of millions of viewers around the world: Celine Dion belting out a captivating rendition of Édith Piaf’s ‘Hymne à l’amour’, poised in the middle of the Eiffel Tower.
While it served as a stunning ode to the city and country hosting the XXXIII Olympiad, it also marked Dion’s return to performing for the first time since she began battling a condition called Stiff Person Syndrome, putting her career on hold.
Following her performance Dion said she was “so full of joy” around her performance in Paris on Instagram.
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“I’m honored to have performed tonight, for the Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony, and so full of joy to be back in one of my very favorite cities! Most of all, I’m so happy to be celebrating these amazing athletes, with all their stories of sacrifice and determination, pain and perseverance.
“All of you have been so focused on your dream, and whether or not you take home a medal, I hope that being here means that it has come true for you! You should all be so proud, we know how hard you have worked to be the best of the best. Stay focused, keep going, my heart is with you!”
For her triumphant return to the stage, she wore an intricate beaded gown by French label Dior, the esteemed fashion house revealing it took couturiers over 1000 hours to create.
The made-to-measure dress, conceived by Dior’s creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri, was detailed by the house as a “white silk georgette gown, embroidered with a hypnotic palette of sequins (pierced sparkles) and magnified by over 500 meters of fringing studded with thousands of silver beads.”
Dion was accompanied at the piano by composer and conductor Scott Price in a black tuxedo by Kim Jones for Dior.
The two were among a number of other stunning Dior garments seen on the night, including Lady Gaga’s glamorous moment acknowledging the spirit of French cabaret.
Lady Gaga performed a rendition of ‘Mon Truc en Plumes’ by the French dancer, singer and actress Zizi Jeanmaire, in a black satin bustier and a cloud of black and flamingo-pink feathers, also designed by Maria Grazia Chiuri. The ensemble included black opera gloves and a feather headdress by Stephen Jones.
The singer was surrounded by seventeen musicians and ten dancers in Dior outfits inspired by Audrey Hepburn in the film ‘Sabrina’ with pompoms made by the Lido de Paris.
