Céline Dion’s son René-Charles was at his mother’s side during her emotional speech at the June 17 premiere of I Am: Céline Dion in New York City.
Céline Dion understands the power of love.
During a speech at the NYC premiere for her new documentary I Am: Céline Dion, the 56-year-old credited the support she’s gotten from fans and family with keeping going amid her battle with stiff person syndrome—and this sweet, onstage moment with her eldest son René-Charles, 23, is the perfect example.
“As I was reading, learning about my condition, I compared myself to an apple,” she said during the June 17 event. “And I said to myself, comparing myself to an apple from a tree, ‘I don’t want you to wait in line anymore if I don’t have any shiny apples for you.’ Then a couple of days ago I saw a message from a fan, and it said, ‘We’re not here for the apples, we’re here for the tree.’ I cannot believe how fortunate I am to have my fans in my life.”
It was at this point Céline grew visibly emotional and René-Charles, who had been standing off to the side of the stage, brought her a tissue, the two exchanging a sweet kiss on the cheek before he once again let his mother have center stage.
This new documentary I Am: Céline Dion, streaming on Prime Video June 25, chronicles Céline’s musical career alongside her battle with stiff-person syndrome, a neurological disorder she was diagnosed with in 2022 which causes muscle rigor and spasms.
In addition to saying thank you to her neurologist Dr. Amanda Piquet earlier in her speech, whom she credited with turning her “fear into hope,” Céline also reserved a special moment to express her love for her sons. In addition to René-Charles, the “My Heart Will Go On” singer is mom to 13-year-old twin sons Eddy and Neslonwith her late husband René Angélil.
“I wouldn’t be here without the daily love and support from my wonderful children,” she continued. “Thank you Réne-Charles. Thank you Nelson. Thank you Eddy.”
And as for why she decided to share her story with the world, Céline told E! News during the premiere’s red carpet, “Because I respect my fans, my family, my kids, myself. They deserve to know.”
For more on Céline’s health battle, keep reading.
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Jan. 30, 2024
The most promising sign yet that a new day had begun: Dion, who had understandably chosen to take a step back from public life while she battled her condition, was getting ready to give a raw look at what she was going through.
Amazon announced the upcoming documentary I Am: Céline Dion, directed by Irene Taylor, would reveal the lengths Dion had been going to in hopes she could go back to doing what she loved.
“As the road to resuming my performing career continues, I have realized how much I have missed it, of being able to see my fans,” Dion said in a statement, explaining why once more she was opening the door. “During this absence, I decided I wanted to document this part of my life, to try to raise awareness of this little-known condition, to help others who share this diagnosis.”
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Feb. 4, 2024
The 2024 Grammys may have ended with a few more people believing in the power of love.
As soon as Dion was announced as the night’s final presenter (after social media got wind of her presence elsewhere in the building, but still), the audience was on its feet.
The five-time Grammy winner may not have been ready for a spotlight performance on music’s biggest night just yet, but she did sing a few bars with Sonyaé Elise backstage, the “Collide” artist sharing the moment on Instagram afterward amid other highlights from her “ICONIC night.”
Dion and Taylor Swift also shared an off-stage hug, silencing the immediate uproar over Swift seemingly not paying proper homage to the elder legend onstage when Dion presented her with Album of the Year for Midnights. Not wanting to be an anti-hero on her history-making night, Swift posed for pics with Dion and René-Charles, who had sweetly escorted his mom to the microphone.
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Dion also shared some highlights from the icons-only portion of the evening, including photos with Stevie Wonder and Oprah Winfrey.
Celebrating the momentous night with Dion was her longtime stylist Law Roach, who dressed the star in a flowy Valentino dress and striking overcoat, with Tiffany & Co. diamonds upping the sparkle factor.
“This makes me so much Joy!” he captioned a next-day Instagram snap with Dion. “Not just to dress my Queen again but the fact that she’s HEALTHY AND HAPPY! The UNIVERSE always PROTECTS and PROVIDES.”
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April 2024
After a March trip to Boston, where she watched the Bruins take on the New York Rangers at TD Garden, Dion gave an update on her health to Vogue France.
She was still learning to live with stiff-person syndrom, she shared in the article published April 22, but was working her butt off with athletic, physical and vocal therapy five days a week to not let it defeat her.
“The way I see it, I have two choices,” Dion said. “Either I train like an athlete and work super hard, or I switch off and it’s over, I stay at home, listen to my songs, stand in front of my mirror and sing to myself.”