World famous diva Celine Dion has rescued the Paris 2024 opening ceremony with a spellbinding performance.
The 56-year-old Canadian singer came on at the end of the marathon event to perform in front of the Eiffel Tower.
Dion has been battling the incurable neurological disorder called stiff-person syndrome.
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She last performed live in 2020.
So naturally, when she appeared looking radiant in a silver gown, fans around the world went into meltdown.
“What a Star! 4 years later still can steal the entire focus of the world for 2 min!” one fan said.
“This is a real star.”
“She saved the ceremony,” another said.
And another: “A breathtaking performance by Céline Dion who covers L’Hymne à l’Amour by Edith Piaf.”
And another: “And so the Olympic torch floats away as Celine Dion sings on the Eiffel Tower — one of the most purely beautiful moments imaginable?”
And another: “This was epic!”
Earlier, however, Lady Gaga’s performance was widely roasted and people had been leaving in their droves.
The American singer said it was her “supreme honour” to perform at the Olympics opening ceremony and surprised viewers by singing in French.
But on a wet and miserable day in Paris, the people came and the people went, as the ceremony dragged and on and on … and on.
By the time the spread-out event got to the Js, many people just gave up and left.
The decision to have the athletes in boats drifting down the river Seine may have seemed like a good idea at the time, but it was also given the thumbs down by the masses.
And just when we thought we were in the final straight, along came the speeches … long, dull speeches.
There were presidents of different committees everywhere, rambling on about lots of different things.
The ceremony had gone on for almost four hours, and the torch had not even been lit.
Earlier, Australian fans hoping to catch the team on their boat were also left confused, originally thinking they had missed them as the coverage cut to Lady Gaga around the time they thought the Aussies would appear.
They need not have worried, however, as the Aussies floated out later in proceedings (Brisbane is hosting the Games in 2032 and future host nations come out near the end).
While that annoyed many Aussies, Gaga’s performance seemingly annoyed the world.
The 38-year-old delivered a burlesque take on the French classic Mon Truc En Plume which mi.
“Oh gaga that performance was HORRIBLE as usual,” one non-Lady Gaga fan blasted on X (formerly Twitter).
“OMG – absolutely terrible. Sorry France – what a missed opportunity,” another said after Gaga’s performance.
The boats, the delays, combined with the rain, not only frustrated those watching, but those who turned up.
“Has to be the worst opening ceremony ever. I’m switching over,” one fan blasted on social media.
“Lack of atmosphere is killing it, feels more like a funeral,” another said.
“Not entirely sure this Olympics Opening Ceremony is working? So spread out, especially if trying to watch any of it live in Paris rather than on telly,” another said.
To be fair, things picked up at the end and the light show was spectacular.
And then along came Dion who completely dazzled and rescued the event.
Sadly, however, that was only seen by the stayers.