Celine Dion closed the opening ceremony in 2022 with her first performance since announcing her diagnosis with Difficult Person Syndrome.
Dion performed “L’Hymne à l’amour” by French singer Edith Piaf from a stage at the foot of the Eiffel Tower.
Lady Gaga opened the Olympic Opening Ceremony with Zizi Jeanmaire’s “Mon Truc En Plumes” on the steps along the Seine.
Surrounded by pink feathers, Gaga’s brief set was reminiscent of her jazz and piano residency in Las Vegas. It also appeared to be a tribute to Jeanmire’s performance of the song The Ed Sullivan Show. After descending the stairs, Gaga kicked into a chorus line and played it on the piano.
The opening ceremony is the most ambitious to date. Led by artistic director Thomas Jolly, the event runs along the River Seine. Olympic officials often kept the performers under wraps ahead of the ceremony.
In an Instagram post, Gaga was grateful for the opportunity and celebrated Jeanmaire. He also shared his love for France and the country’s culture.
“Although I’m not a French artist, I’ve always felt a unique connection to French people and singing French music – I wanted nothing more than to create a show that warmed the heart of France and celebrated French art and music. An important occasion like this makes Paris one of the most magical cities on earth for everyone. Reminds me,” she wrote in her caption.
French-Malian pop star Aya Nakamura, one of the most popular contemporary French artists, also performed on Friday.
Dion and Gaga sparked a social media frenzy after being spotted in Paris this week.
Dion has been opened How Difficult Person Syndrome Controlled Her Vocal Chords and Affected Her Ability to Sing
The neurological disorder causes stiffness in the body and limbs and can trigger severe muscle spasms. She released the documentary “I Am: Celine Dion” in June, which shows her suffering from debilitating muscle cramps.
Dion performed At the Olympic Opening Ceremony during the 1996 Atlanta Games, she sang “The Power of the Dream” with composer David Foster and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.
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