Celine Dion feels the love ahead of Paris comeback

PARIS (AP):

Celine Dion blew kisses and made a love-heart shape with her hands as she swept into Paris on Friday for her first series of concerts since revealing her diagnosis with stiff-person syndrome.

Fans yelling “We’re so happy to see you” and “We love you” crowded with journalists outside a Paris hotel as the Grammy-winning star settled in to prepare her residency of 16 shows in September and October at the Plénitude Arena in the French capital’s western suburbs. The first show opens on September 12.

“I am ready, and I’m a bit uptight, of course, because it’s been a long time,” she told French broadcaster BFMTV, wearing a beige trench coat, high heels and dark shades.

“I have always felt supported from the first day and because it’s a story that continues. It’s true that this is my second home,” the Quebec-born singer said.

Asked which song she’d sing first, Dion replied: “I can’t say, it’s a big secret!”

The Paris concerts, to be followed by 10 more next May, mark a major milestone for 58-year-old Dion after years away from touring because of the rare neurological disorder she disclosed in 2022.

With nearly 260 million albums sold worldwide, Dion remains one of the bestselling and most decorated artistes in pop music history, known for hits including My Heart Will Go On and Because You Loved Me.

The concert series, titled ‘Celine Dion Paris 2026-2027’, will feature her catalogue of hits in English and French.

Dion has largely stepped back from performing since cancelling her Courage World Tour as her condition progressed. She wowed with a brief but widely watched return at the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics in 2024, singing Hymne à l’amour ( Hymn to Love) atop the Eiffel Tower in the rain.

The Plenitude Arena has a capacity of 40,000 spectators and was one of the venues used for the Paris Games.