Céline Dion made an emotional return to the stage on Saturday, performing her first full concert in six years at the Plenitude Arena west of Paris. The 58-year-old Canadian singer appeared visibly moved as she performed for a sell-out crowd of around 30,000 people.
This long-awaited comeback follows a years-long battle with stiff-person syndrome, a rare autoimmune and neurological disorder. The incurable condition, which causes stiffness and cramps, had previously forced the singer to cancel shows and created uncertainty about whether she would ever perform again.
During the event, the Québécois star delivered a 25-song set over two hours and 15 minutes. With a controlled voice and a relatively understated show, Dion thrilled the spectators in a performance that marked a major milestone in her recovery.
The concert served as the opening of a 16-show residency in Paris. The entire series at the Plenitude Arena is sold out, capping a period of high-profile health woes for the iconic singer.