Celine Dion's pals fear she's under stress as singer faces 'cruel' backlash over Olympics performance

PARIS, FRANCE: Celine Dion’s recent return to the stage at the Olympics in Paris has sparked a wave of criticism in France, where she’s being accused of using pre-recorded vocals.

The backlash has left the celebrated singer, 56, under immense pressure, with friends expressing concern over the toll it’s taking on her health and confidence, as reported by In Touch.

Celine Dion's health under stress amid French backlash over ‘unauthentic’ act

Performing 'Hymne a L’amour' at the Olympic opening ceremony marked an emotional comeback for Celine Dion after a nearly two-year hiatus due to her diagnosis of stiff person syndrome (SPS). The illness, which affects motor functions, has forced her to pause live performances while grappling with symptoms such as muscle stiffness and sensitivity to noise and light.

Despite these challenges, a source close to Dion says she poured her heart into the performance, making the backlash especially painful.

The source shares, "This is obviously a real kick in the teeth that seems incredibly unnecessary. To be giving Celine, of all people, grief over her singing is just so cruel."

In a December 2022 Instagram video, the 'My Heart Will Go On' singer first disclosed her diagnosis with SPS, explaining the need to cancel multiple tour dates across North America and Europe. 

The insider shared, "Adding any sort of stress to her life after what she’s been through is unconscionable. She put her heart and soul into that performance, the feeling for a lot of people is that it certainly doesn’t matter if she used some vocal help, everyone knows she’s been sick and the fact is most artists use backing tracks during their live performances.”

Celine Dion’s alleged lip-sync at Olympic kickoff sparks debate

Celine Dion’s heart-stopping rendition of 'Hymne a L’amour' under the Eiffel Tower to mark the launch of the Olympics left millions captivated. However, the French newspaper Liberation has stirred controversy, citing music industry experts who claim Dion’s performance was pre-recorded. According to a sound engineer quoted in the article, “It was 100% playback, you can hear it from the first notes.”

Composer Etienne Guereau also weighed in, describing what was aired as a “corrected playback.”

While Dion and the Olympic organizers remain silent on the issue, fans and industry professionals are divided. Dion’s supporters are pushing back against the allegations, calling them baseless and hurtful. “She’s a very sensitive person, and this has really upset her,” shared a source close to the singer. “Calling her unauthentic is the last thing she deserves after everything she’s gone through.”

Others in the industry see pre-recorded performances as common practice, especially for high-stakes events where technical issues can arise. “It doesn’t diminish her artistry, and she’s working hard on her recovery,” another insider said, highlighting the challenges of her return to the stage.

The rumors come at a delicate time for Dion, who has been working through health challenges that temporarily sidelined her career. “She’s getting her voice back, and a proper comeback is in sight,” the source added.