2024 Olympics: Kelly Clarkson Tears Up Over Céline Dion’s Comeback
2024 Olympics: Why Simone Biles Skipped the Opening Ceremony in Paris
Kelly Clarkson has tears behind those hazel eyes.
The “Since U Been Gone” singer broke down crying while watching Céline Dion’s comeback performance at the Eiffel Tower during the 2024 Paris Olympics’ Opening Ceremony.
“I actually can’t talk,” Kelly said while co-hosting NBC’s coverage of the July 26 event. “A one-of-a-kind Opening Ceremony.”
The American Idol alum went on to praise Céline—whose been battling stiff-person syndrome for over two years—for delivering an “incredible” rendition of Édith Piaf’s “Hymne A L’Amour” during her first live performance since 2020.
“I was not ready for that,” Kelly continued. “If you know anything about Céline right now, she feels this is her purpose.”
And the Kelly Clarkson Show host wasn’t done getting choked up about the comeback, with her even struggling to speak as she recounted the “My Heart Will Go On” singer’s empowering health journey.
“I’m so sorry, I’m trying to hold it together,” Kelly said, “But that she got through that, that was incredible.”
The 42-year-old added, “In my field, she is the gold winner for vocal athletes.”
Céline publicly shared her stiff-person syndrome diagnosis in 2022, explaining that she had to cancel her Courage World Tour as the “very rare” neurological disorder had been affecting “every aspect” of her daily life.
Two years later, the 56-year-old—who shares sons René-Charles, 23, and 13-year-old twins Nelson and Eddy with her late husband René Angélil—detailed her struggles with the condition in the documentary I Am: Céline Dion, revealing that, at one point, the diagnosis nearly cost her her life.
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) July 26, 2024
But along with chronicling the challenges, Céline has also showed fans her unwavering dedication to returning to the stage and achieving her goal of seeing the Eiffel Tower once again.
“They way I see it, I have two choices,” she told Vogue France in an interview published April 22. “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.”
Céline added, “I’ve chosen to work with all my body and soul, from head to toe, with a medical team. I want to be the best I can be.”
Photo by: Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal via Getty Images / Screengrab by IOC via Getty Images
(E! News and NBC are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)
Read on for more unforgettable moments from the Opening Ceremony…
Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images
Red, White and Blue
The Eiffel Tower and Opening Ceremony stands are illuminated with color in honor of the French flag.
Miguel Tona/POOL/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Burning Bright
The Olympic Cauldron takes flight after being lit at the 2024 Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony.
Shutterstock
Iconic Night
Céline Dion closes out the show with a powerful performance atop the Eiffel Tower.
Screengrab by IOC via Getty Images
Comeback Moment
The singer beautifully belted out “Hymne A L’Amour” during her return to the stage.
YOAN VALAT/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
The GOATs
Serena Williams, Carl Lewis, Nadia Comaneci and Rafael Nadal light up the night with the Olympic torch.
Matthew Stockman/Getty Images
Sporting Greats
French soccer star Zinedine Zidane passes the Olympic torch to Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal.
Loic Venance – Pool/Getty Images
Laser Focus
The Eiffel Tower lights up the night.
François-Xavier Marit – Pool/Getty Images
Let the Games Begin
Athletes from around the world gather in front of the Eiffel Tower for Opening Ceremony.
Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Wave Your Banner
The mystery horse rider carries the Olympic flag to the Place du Trocadero.
AP Photo/Petr David Josek, Pool via Getty Images
Light Up the Night
The Parade of Nations travel along the Seine river.
Stephanie Lecocq – Pool/Getty Images
The World Stage
Flags from countries competing in the Olympics fly high.
Alex Pantling/Getty Images
Sharing All the World
Pianist Sofiane Pamart and singer Juliette Armanet perform “Imagine” from a float on the Seine.
Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
Athletic Spirit
The Refugee Olympic Team—which is made up of 37 athletes representing millions worldwide who have been forcibly displaced—share a loving message.
Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
Play On
Musicians at the Opening Ceremony keep dry in their rain ponchos.
Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
Race to the Finish Line
The Olympic flag is carried down the Seine on a galloping metal horse.
Quinn Rooney/Getty Images
Scenes From the Seine
Team Australia is all-smiles as their boat passes by the Eiffel Tower.
Peter Cziborra – Pool/Getty Images
Fanning the Flames
The masked torchbearer runs along the Musee d’Orsay during the Opening Ceremony.
Hector Vivas/Getty Images
Can’t Rain on Their Parade
Despite the wet weather, Team Spain marches forward to the Place du Trocadero.
Nir Elias – Pool/Getty Images
Smile for the Camera
Team Italy’s flag bearers Arianna Errigo and Gianmarco Tamberi snap a selfie together.
BRIAN INGANGA / Contributor / GETTY IMAGES
Heart of Paris
The Eiffel Tower is decorated with the Olympic rings.
Maja Hitij / Staff / GETTY IMAGES
Hej!
Swedish athletes greet the crowd during the Parade of Nations.
Kevin C. Cox / Staff / GETTY IMAGES
Making Memories
Team Liberia captures all the sights and sounds from their boat.
Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images
The City of Lights
The Eiffel Tower awaits the arrival of the world’s athletes.
Michael Reaves/Getty Images
Teamwork
Jordan’s Rama Abo-Alrub and Saleh Elsharabaty bear their country’s flag together.
Steph Chambers / Staff / GETTY IMAGES
Hometown Pride
The Bahamian flag waves atop the country’s boat on the Seine river.
Pool / GETTY IMAGES
Ready for the Competition
Switzerland is ready to bring the heat to this summer’s Games.
Maja Hitij/Getty Images
Here Come the Red, White and Blue
Team USA makes their debut on the Seine.
Dan Mullan/Getty Images
Raindrops Keep Falling on Their Heads
But that didn’t stop these rooftop dancers from turning out a spectacular performance.
John Walton – PA Images / Contributor / GETTY IMAGES
When It Rains it Pours
Yet the Cabo Verde Olympic team didn’t let it dim their joy.
Naomi Baker/Getty Images
Fine Art
Reproductions of some of the most famous paintings from Paris’ Louvre Museum decorate the River Seine.
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