Celine Dion cheers on Eurovision contest, as fans hope for surprise performance at final
Beloved Canadian chanteuse Céline Dion surprised fans and competitors alike with a message of love and gratitude at this year's Eurovision Song Contest, a competition she says was "life-changing" for her and helped launch her to global superstardom.
In a pre-recorded video appearance during Tuesday's first-round semi-finals, she praised the wildly popular competition and 2025 host country, Switzerland, as fans have speculated for weeks that she might return to the Eurovision stage for a rare performance at Saturday's final at St. Jakobshalle in Basel.
Dion won the top prize in 1988 when she represented Switzerland in the contest, singing the song Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi (Don't Leave Without Me), when she just 20 years old.
"I'd love nothing more than to be with you in Basel right now. Switzerland will forever hold a special place in my heart. It's a country that believed in me and gave me the chance to be a part of something so extraordinary," she said.
In the video, the now 57-year-old remarked that it was "so beautiful and emotional" for Switzerland to have won the 2024 competition and subsequently host this year's contest.
"To the people of Switzerland, thank you for your love. This night is yours and I hope you feel as proud as I do," she said in English.
The Charlemagne, Que.-born singer wrapped her video message in French.
"Music unites us, not only this evening, not only at the moment," she said. "It is our strength, our support and our support in the moments where we need it. I love you all, Europe and the rest of the world, of course. Kisses, I love you."
Dion and Switzerland claimed victory in the 33rd Eurovision contest by just one point, beating English pop singer Scott Fitzgerald.
Following the video, four singers from the 2024 Eurovision contest — Jerry Heil (Ukraine), iolanda (Portugal), Marina Satti (Greece) and Silvester Belt (Lithuania) — sang Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi on stage as drones performed above them.
Heil later expressed her admiration for Dion in a post on social media.
"The biggest THANK YOU to @celinedion for being a reason it's happening and for letting us touch your legendary song with our voices! It is a dream to share one stage with you one day!"
Dion's appearances limited due to healthDion is living with stiff person syndrome, a rare neurological disorder that causes sudden and severe muscle spasms. She revealed her diagnosis in a video to her fans in December 2022 and later cancelled her 2023 Courage world tour.
She did not perform publicly again until last summer, when she gave a triumphant performance on the Eiffel Tower to open the Paris Olympic Games, her first since going public with her health condition.
The five-time Grammy and 20-time Juno award winner sat down with CBC News chief correspondent Adrienne Arsenault last year at her home in Las Vegas, to discuss the effects stiff person syndrome has had on her body and her powerful voice, and her fears the condition might limit her ability to ever sing again.
She began experiencing symptoms of the illness back in 2008, when she first felt spasms in her vocal cords.
In the interview, Dion told Arsenault she persevered through her treatment and rehabilitation with the mantra, "I'll sing again."
With or without a performance by Dion, anticipation is building for the Eurovision finals.
Switzerland took on hosting duties for the 69th edition of the competition after winning last year with Nemo's The Code.
Thirty-seven countries are taking part in this year's contest, with the second round of semi-finals taking place on Thursday night. Five countries were eliminated in Tuesday's round of semi-finals, with 10 others moving on to the finals.
The Grand Final takes place in Basel on Saturday, beginning at 3 p.m. ET.
cbc.ca
