Celine Dion performs live after more than 6 years, gets tearful during opening night in Paris
Dion opened her 16-date residency, her first major series of live shows since stepping away from the spotlight in 2022
Celine Dion returned to the stage in Paris on Saturday, becoming tearful as she opened her 16-date residency at the Plenitude Arena, marking her first major series of live shows since stepping away from the spotlight in 2022.
The singer addressed thousands of fans during the opening moments of the concert.
“I had promised myself not to cry,” Dion said. “But I’m so happy to see you all. I missed you. I’m going to sing like you without crying.”
Les larmes de Céline Dion en prononçant ses premiers mots : “Je suis debout sur scène, dans cette ville que j’aime tant, grâce à votre soutien. Le chemin était rocailleux, avec des escales non planifiées, mais je me suis accroché : J’y croyais !”
La chanteuse de 58 ans retrouve… pic.twitter.com/qfmF25q7Xw
— Jean Marc Morandini (@morandiniblog) September 12, 2026
Dion performed for more than two hours and 20 minutes, delivering songs including “The Power of Love”, “Because You Loved Me”, “Pour que tu m’aimes encore”, “All By Myself”, “I’m Alive” and “My Heart Will Go On”.
After performing “On ne change pas”, she told the audience, “Here we are… I’m standing on stage in this city that I love so much, thanks to your support and your love.”
Dion also reflected on the challenges she faced with her health. “By living with it day in and day out, I’ve come to terms with it. And I’ve decided to make it my reason for living.”
Dion’s Paris residency follows her stage appearance at the 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony, where she performed Edith Piaf’s “Hymne A L’Amour”.
Her Paris concerts were originally scheduled for 2020 but were postponed because of the pandemic and later delayed following her health issues.