[Current & Culture]A Diva Descends on the Paris Olympics

Celine Dion, Who Sang the Theme Song for "Titanic"
Battling a Rare Disease for 17 Years
Invited to Perform at the Olympic Opening Ceremony

When a celebrity takes their own life, the number of people who follow with extreme choices increases. This is known as the Werther effect. Even if it’s not suicide, news of the death of a beloved star leaves a scar on the soul. The recent news of Shannon Doherty’s passing affected me that way. For those who may not know who she was, she was a young star of the American TV drama Beverly Hills, 90210, which was quite popular in South Korea during the 1990s. The show was so popular that it ran for 10 seasons from 1990 to 2000. Born in 1971, she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015 and battled the disease through cycles of recovery and relapse before ultimately passing away. May she rest in peace.

During my school days, Shannon Doherty symbolized the “pretty American older sister” type of actress to me. In a similar vein, among pop singers, Tiffany, also born in 1971, was like that. She had a brief but intense period of fame during her adolescence, competing in a rivalry with Debbie Gibson, who was a year older, and faded away with the 1980s. Around the same time, three female singers who conquered the pop market not with youthful star images but with vocal talent emerged, still known as the “three divas”: Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, and Celine Dion. With their natural vocal power, peak technique, and timeless hits created with top composers, they gave pop fans a feast for the ears. It was also a stroke of luck that all three had distinct vocal tones and styles.

Although Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston first established a rivalry, Celine Dion built an unyielding position. While her talent was unquestioned, there were critiques about her commercial success until she silenced all controversy by singing the theme song for Titanic, one of the most successful films in history. A few years ago, news broke that she was diagnosed with a rare disease called stiff-person syndrome, shocking her fans. The painful and convulsive symptoms, which in severe cases cause the body to become completely rigid, have been documented in a documentary about her battle with the illness. Just watching the footage conveys the excruciating pain, and she has been fighting this disease for an astonishing 17 years.

Then, just a few days ago, another surprising announcement came: Celine Dion was invited to perform at the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics. Given that she has canceled many concerts due to worsening symptoms, it is uncertain whether she will be able to participate. However, if she truly takes the stage, it will be the greatest Olympic opening performance ever. Faster, higher, stronger. As the famous Olympic motto suggests, the essence of the Olympics is the challenge to surpass limits. Imagine Celine Dion, battling a disease that stiffens her entire body, standing on stage and singing “My Heart Will Go On.” Wouldn’t that be more moving than any final event? More precious than any gold medal? That song, already immortalized as a love anthem, will transcend its theme of love and gain a new level of emotional impact.

In the documentary, Celine Dion says, “If I can’t run, I will walk. If I can’t walk, I will crawl. I will not stop. The conductor of my life is my voice.”

I eagerly await the stage where the great diva Celine Dion will unite music and sports. I hope readers will join me in cheering and looking forward to it.

Lee Jae-ik, SBS Radio PD and Novelist