THE ICON AND HER INVINCIBLE HEART THAT WILL GO ON
When fans and spectators said the performance of Celine Dion at the Paris Olympics 2024 opening ceremony for the first time since 2020 was a “one of the best” and a “triumphant return”, it was nothing short of the truth.
When it comes to the world’s recognition of an artist’s work, it’s mostly the case of either the artist’s name being immortalized with the public still in the dark about his work, or his work being touted as the greatest of the century but the creator’s name having vanished long time ago. Very rarely is a case in which the name is as legendary as his masterpieces, and can evoke the public’s memory. But if there’s someone like that, Celine Dion is exactly that.
Since the global premier of Titanic, an epic romantic film of two star-crossed lovers which has grossed over $2.2 billion in 1997, the 56-year-old Canadian pop diva’s name has become closely entwined with the movie as much as the lead actors Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio. As the singer of the theme song, ‘My Heart Will Go On’, Dion’s soulstirring voice perfectly delivered the heart-wrenching lyrics, garnering tears and overwhelming praises from critics and moviegoers as one of the best movie-ending songs for its heart-piercing power that has left lasting memories of the main characters and their tragic end in their hearts.
Titanic just celebrated its 25th anniversary last year by releasing a remastered version and once again, Dion’s signature hit was played over and over across shopping malls, cafes, and restaurants worldwide, bringing back the memories of Titanic fever decades ago.
It was around the Valentine’s Day when the film was playing in theatres. As millions of couples were celebrating the day, mesmerized by eternal love between Jack and Rose, the songstress was battling the stiff person syndrome (SPS), an extremely rare neurological disorder with features of an autoimmune illness that began almost two decades ago, butonly diagnosed in late 2022. After the diagnosis, the chanteuse rescheduled Spring 2023 shows to 2024, and cancelled eight of her 2023 shows to focus on her health.
What was amazing about Dion’s journey to recovery that makes it “triumphant” isn’t only just her determination and laser-sharp focus on her goal, but also her loyalty to fans, whom she said was one of the main reasons why she fought so hard.
In the documentary film about her battle with the illness, I Am: Celine Dion, the award-winning singer said, “I feel like, let’s say there’s an apple tree, I’m an apple tree. And people are in line and I give them apples. The best,” Dion said in her reflection on her relationship with her fans.
“And I shine them and they all leave with a basket of apples. And my branches are starting to fall sometimes, get crooked, and those branches are starting to produce a little less apples. But there’s still as many people in line. I don’t want them to wait in line if I don’t have apples for them,” Dion revealed her thoughts.
But she still wanted to give them apples and lots of them despite knowing full well that the disease is incurable. Her loyalty to fans are fierce and heartwarming as she makes it clear the disease isn’t an excuse for her fans to receive a less-than-stellar performance just because she wanted to make a comeback.
All those scenes in the film are as raw and honest as they get, with unedited and unretouched footages of Dion’s struggling in pain when seizures flared up, leaving her temporarily paralyzed. It also showed her efforts to push through series of physical therapy which include controlling the bodily movements and vocal cord, apart from medical treatments.
There was also a scene showing her collapse immediately after she walked to the backstage; a revelation of the disease’s severity, then undiagnosed and only treated according to the symptoms. All those jumping, high stepping, sprinting, and emotional high-octave singing were the results of large doses of medicine to keep her control over her body. Once, the spasms on her chest were so severe her ribs were broken.
After the film’s release, a lot of people came out and warned Dion not to be overly optimistic as scientists haven’t yet found a permanent cure for SPS. Despite that, Dion’s still firmly set in her goal that has stayed with her since she was a little; “to be a singer for the rest of my life.”
On one hand, their concerns are understandable. Having high hopes in this kind of situation can leave you heartbroken if your hope is crushed, but wouldn’t life be more crushing if you didn’t get to do everything you can until the end? For Dion, she’s chosen to give her best rather wither away.
John Ruskin, a British artist, social critic and the greatest architect of the 19th century once said, “When love and skill work together, expect a masterpiece.”
In this case, the masterpiece isn’t limited to her music. The megastar is also the work of art herself. That’s what Celine Dion is. A true masterpiece.
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