Celine Dion made a surprise public appearance amid her ongoing health battle.
While the 57-year-old singer wasn’t at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest in person, she shocked attendees and the 10 semifinalists when appearing via video during the competition on Tuesday, May 13.
“I’d love nothing more than to be with you,” Dion said in the video, according to multiple U.K. outlets. “Switzerland will forever hold a special place in my heart. It’s the country that believed in me and gave me the chance to be part of something so extraordinary.”
Dion won the Eurovision Song Contest for Switzerland in 1988, telling the crowd on Tuesday that it was a “life-changing moment” for her. Ahead of this year’s competition, it was rumored that Dion would be making an appearance.
“It’s so beautiful and emotional to see Switzerland winning and hosting this incredible event once again,” her message continued. “To the people of Switzerland, thank you for your love. This night is yours and I hope you feel as proud as I do.”
Dion concluded her message in French.
“Music unites us, not only this evening, not only at the moment. Wonderful,” she said, per CNN. “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.”
The singer has been keeping a low-profile since announcing her diagnosis with stiff-person syndrome in December 2022. She returned to the stage in October 2024 when attending City of Hope’s 2024 Spirit of Life Gala in Los Angeles.
“This is the first time I’ve been on a stage since I was up on that tower. And I kind of miss it,” she admitted at the time. “This City of Hope is so well-named. It does so much more than the important research leading to new treatments. It provides care to people in their greatest time of need at the most difficult and challenging moment of their lives. That is so important.”
Dion’s first performance since her stiff-person syndrome diagnosis went public was during the 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony in July where she performed “L’Hymne à l’amour” in front of the Eiffel Tower.
In the years that followed her diagnosis, Dion has become more comfortable publicly discussing her health battle. She released the Prime Video documentary I Am: Celine Dion in June 2024.
“Your presence in my journey has been a gift beyond measure,” Dion told the crowd at the film’s New York premiere. “Your never-ending love and support over all these years have delivered me to this moment tonight.”
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