Experts claim Celine Dion's comeback performance at Paris 2024 Olympics was 'pre-recorded'

PARIS, FRANCE: Celine Dion’s highly-anticipated performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics opening ceremony has sparked renewed controversy in France.

The 56-year-old Canadian singer moved fans when she sang 'Hymne a L'amour' in front of the Eiffel Tower, marking her return to the stage after battling stiff-person syndrome on July 26.

The performance has fueled debates over the true nature of the powerful performance that fans watched on television moving them to tears.

Experts say playback was used in Celine Dion’s performance in front of Eiffel Tower

However, on Friday, October 11, France's 'Liberation' newspaper reported claims from several music experts that Dion's performance, which aired on July 26, was not live, but pre-recorded.

Composer and performer Etienne Guereau told Newspaper Liberation, “What we heard on TV was a corrected playback."

Others echoed this sentiment, saying Dion’s performance during the event and rehearsal were identical.

Something that is "technically impossible" for a live performance, according to a YouTuber musician known as Wings of Pegasus who posted about it two months ago.

Others said it was "without a shadow of a doubt" pre-recorded, as was a performance by Dion in rehearsals, Daily Mail reported.

Sound engineer says Celine Dion's performance was '100% playback'

A sound engineer, who requested to remain anonymous, also shared their analysis with France newspaper.

“It was 100% playback, you can hear it from the first notes," the engineer said.

This claim was reiterated by several professionals in the industry who are convinced that the performance had been pre-recorded.

Despite these allegations, representatives for the Paris 2024 Olympics organizers have not responded to questions, although they previously maintained that the performance was live.

“This performance marks the first time that Celine Dion has sung live since her diagnosis," the International Olympic Committee said in August.

“No. We prepared for that possibility but she really did sing,” Thomas Jolly, the ceremony director, told France Television: after the ceremony, adding “No, it was without playback. The voice was there," according to The Times.

“Everyone realises that she was singing in playback. The sound had obviously been recorded. How could she have done otherwise, from the first floor of the Eiffel Tower and in the weather?” a member of the Paris team told Liberation. 

Celine Dion releases Olympic performance recording amid playback scandal

Amid the ongoing debate, Celine Dion announced on Instagram and X that the 'live' version of her Olympic performance is now available on platforms like YouTube and Spotify.

"Hymne a l'amour - Live from the Olympic Games Paris 2024, now available on YouTube and all streaming platforms," Dion posted.

The performance, meant to mark Dion’s comeback after her stiff-person syndrome diagnosis, was originally sung by French music legend Edith Piaf.

Thousands of fans expressed their admiration for Dion on social media following the performance.

Dion was told in 2022 that she was suffering from stiff-person syndrome, a rare neurological disorder.

After she cancelled her shows she released a video declaring how she was "dealing with problems with my health for a long time."

"Even if I have to crawl," she said, adding "My goal is to see the Eiffel Tower again!"