Key facts
- Over 30,000 Céline Dion fans gathered in Paris for her comeback performances.
- The singer is returning to the stage four years after revealing her diagnosis of stiff-person syndrome.
- Paris city hall hosted a free outdoor karaoke event for 10,000 people.
- Dion's French-language album 'D'eux' is the best-selling Francophone album of all time.
- The 16-date residency in Paris is expected to boost the local economy by up to €800 million.
- Dion's concerts will feature both English and French-language hits.
Céline Dion fans have converged on Paris for the singer's highly anticipated comeback performances, marking her return to the stage four years after disclosing her diagnosis with stiff-person syndrome. Over 30,000 fans have gathered in the city, with many more participating in public sing-alongs to her hit songs across France.
Paris city hall organized a free outdoor karaoke event on Friday night for 10,000 people, celebrating Dion as a unifying artist. The singer, who grew up in Quebec, has a substantial fanbase in France, where her French-language ballads are popular karaoke choices.
Dion, 58, revealed her diagnosis of the incurable autoimmune disorder in 2022, which caused severe muscle spasms and mobility issues. Her 2024 documentary, 'I Am: Céline Dion,' provided a candid look at her health struggles.
The concerts at the Plenitude arena in La Défense are being kept secret, with Dion prioritizing her health. She has indicated the shows will be longer than usual and will include both her popular English hits and French-language songs, catering to an international audience.
The 16-date residency in September and October, along with earlier sold-out dates in May, is projected to inject up to €800 million into the local economy, potentially surpassing the economic impact of previous concerts by artists like Taylor Swift and Beyoncé. Merchandise sales have also been strong, with fans eager to celebrate Dion's return.