Canadian singer Celine Dion gave her first full-scale concert in six years – the show at a 30,000-seat arena in the suburbs of Paris kicked off a 26-concert residency. Dion, who is struggling with stiff muscle syndrome, interrupted the first song due to tears, after which she joked that she had broken a promise to herself not to cry.
The last time the My Heart Will Go On performer gave a full concert was in 2020 in Newark in the US state of New Jersey. After that, her touring activities were put on pause: first due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and then due to a rare neurological diagnosis.
Dion in 2022 reported that she had been diagnosed with stiff muscle syndrome, which causes sharp spasms in various parts of the body, including the larynx, making it difficult to speak and sing.
In 2024, she showed how she was struggling with a disease that could not be completely cured in the documentary “I am Celine Dion.” That same year, she sang in public for the first time since her diagnosis as part of the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Paris.
“I promised to return to the stage – and here I am, singing for you and for myself, singing live!” – Dion emphasized, welcoming the audience to the first concert in six years on September 12.
Celine Dion cries during an emotional speech as she returns for her first comeback concert in 6 years: “I made a promise to come back… I am everything I am because you loved me.”https://t.co/kkKRl3SLLI pic.twitter.com/oS9XrBzy5L
— Variety (@Variety) September 12, 2026
As Variety notes, 58-year-old Dion’s new show is designed primarily for a French audience—about 60% of the set list consisted of French-language compositions. The singer did not forget about some English-language hits, singing My Heart Will Go On, The Power of Love and All By Myself. Her new single Dansons (“Let’s Dance”) was also performed for the first time at the concert.
Celine Dion belts out “My Heart Will Go On” as she returns to the stage for her first concert in 6 years pic.twitter.com/VVBMBPhZ40
— Variety (@Variety) September 12, 2026
The publication also draws attention to rumors that Beyoncé, who is currently in Paris with her husband Jay-Z, may join Dion on stage at one of the concerts as part of the series.
Le Parisien, in turn, writes that other American guests have already attended Dion's first concert as spectators. According to a French newspaper, former US first lady Michelle Obama was secretly present at the Plenitude Arena. Instead of her husband, TV presenter Oprah Winfrey accompanied her.
