Will Celine Dion Make a Comeback After Battling a Rare Disease... Sightings in Paris Stir Speculation [Paris Olympics]

Variety, BBC and Other Foreign Media Report in Succession

Rumors are spreading that American pop star Celine Dion, who suffers from a rare disease that causes muscle stiffness, will take the stage at the 2024 Paris Olympic opening ceremony. On the 23rd (local time), the U.S. entertainment media outlet Variety reported, "There are rumors that Dion will perform at the Olympic opening ceremony on the 26th." The outlet also reported that Dion was spotted near the Royal Monceau Hotel on the Champs-?lys?es in Paris on the 22nd.

British public broadcaster BBC also reported on the 24th, "Celine Dion met and greeted fans in Paris the day before," adding, "This further fuels the possibility that she might make a 'comeback performance' at the Olympic opening ceremony." BBC explained that Dion walked around the streets of Paris, greeted fans who welcomed her, and even signed autographs herself.

Photo of Celine Dion taken in Paris, France [Image source=Instagram capture]

Afterwards, Dion posted photos and messages on social media taken at the Louvre Museum in Paris. She said, "Every time I return to Paris, I am reminded that there is still so much beauty and joy in this world to experience," and added, "I love Paris. I am truly happy to be back." However, it remains uncertain whether Dion will actually appear on the opening ceremony stage. Currently, the Paris Olympic organizing committee is keeping the list of performers strictly confidential. Dion's publicist has also not responded to media inquiries regarding her participation in the Olympic opening ceremony.

If Celine Dion does take the stage at this Olympics, it would mark her 'comeback show' after about two years. Previously, Dion was diagnosed in December 2022 with a rare neurological disease called Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS). SPS causes muscle stiffness that makes the body rigid and triggers spasms in response to minor stimuli such as sound or touch.

SPS is a rare disease affecting about one in a million people and is reported to have no established treatment yet. After her SPS diagnosis, Dion devoted herself to rehabilitation therapy, but in May of last year, her condition worsened, forcing her to cancel her world tour. However, in an interview with Vogue France in April this year, Dion expressed her intention to make a comeback. At that time, she said, "From head to toe, I have decided to work with medical professionals with all my body and soul," emphasizing, "I want to do my very best. My goal is to see the Eiffel Tower in Paris again."