Dion, 56, stood at the base of the Eiffel Tower for the powerful performance, which she performed in French, after the torch lighting. The beautiful show by Dion brought Olympic correspondent Kelly Clarkson to tears.
Dion’s performance also served as her Olympics comeback after previously opening the 1996 games in Atlanta with a rendition of “The Power of the Dream.”
I’ve always been an open book and I wasn’t ready to say anything before, but I’m ready now,” she said in an Instagram video at the time. “I’ve been dealing with problems with my health for a long time, and it’s been really difficult for me to face these challenges and to talk about everything that I’ve been going through.”
Dion explained that her illness triggers “spasms” that “affect every aspect of my daily life, sometimes causing difficulties when I walk and not allowing me to use my vocal cords to sing the way I’m used to.”
“I have a great team of doctors working alongside me to help me get better and my precious children, who are supporting me and giving me hope,” she continued. “I’m working hard with my sports medicine therapist every day to build back my strength and my ability to perform again, but I have to admit it’s been a struggle.”
Dion concluded that she had “no choice but to concentrate on my health at this moment, and I have hope that I’m on the road to recovery. This is my focus, and I’m doing everything that I can to recuperate.”