Viral video shows Celine Dion crying as she takes the stage for first headlining show in 6 years

PARIS, FRANCE: Celine Dion made a triumphant return to the stage after six years. The ‘My Heart Will Go On’ singer kicked off her Paris residency at the Paris La Defense Arena on Saturday, September 12.

Dion got a warm reception as she took the stage, and videos from the night have since gone viral. She also delivered an emotional speech on her journey back to performing. For those unaware, Dion was diagnosed with stiff-person syndrome (SPS) in 2022.

During the show, she performed hits including 'My Heart Will Go On', 'I’m Alive', and 'It’s All Coming Back To Me Now'.

Celine Dion breaks down in tears, thanks fans for their 'support and patience'

Dion delivered a heartfelt performance and an emotional speech during her first show, saying, “I made a promise to come back,” and she certainly did.

“It’s amazing we are all together,” the 58-year-old tearfully said in her speech, per Variety. “I made a promise. I made a promise to come back and be back on stage. So, here I am, singing for you and singing for me, singing live. Thank you so very much for your support, your patience, and if I may say so, I am everything I am because you loved me.”

During the show, Dion also opened up about her SPS diagnosis, which she previously explained had caused major issues with her vocal cords and spasms. “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,” she said.

Dion shared that she had taken her hardship as a lesson: “Look around here, all around you right here in this room, we don’t know what the person next to us is going through.”

“There are people going through hardships, grief, and sorrow. There are people radiating energy and joy. So let’s take that energy and share it. That’s what music is for. Tonight, we’ll sing, we’ll dance, and we’ll celebrate,” she concluded. 

Celine Dion reflects on her health struggles

Dion has previously opened up about her medical issues and the impact they had on her career. In December 2022, she told her fans about her health struggles, saying, “I always give 100 percent when I do my shows, but my condition is not allowing me to give you that right now.”

“For me to reach you again, I have no choice but to concentrate on my health at this moment, and I have hope that I’m on the road to recovery. This is my focus, and I’m doing everything that I can to recuperate,” she added.

However, Dion returned to the stage two years after her diagnosis when she performed at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she sang ‘L Hymne a l’Amour’. The same year, she released her documentary ‘I Am: Celine Dion,’ which reflected on her tour cancellations and break from performing.

“It’s not hard to do a show, you know? It’s hard to cancel a show,” Dion admitted. “It’s been a struggle. I miss it so much, the people. I miss them. If I can’t run, I’ll walk. If I can’t walk, I’ll crawl… I won’t stop.”