Celine Dion's fans are in an uproar following a report in a French newspaper that claims the singer lip-synced to a pre-recorded track during the Paris Olympics opening ceremony. The allegations emerged on Friday, October 11, just a day after Dion, 56, released a single of her Olympic performance—"Hymne à l'amour – Live from the Olympic Games Paris 2024"—on streaming platforms. The song, originally made famous by the legendary French singer Édith Piaf, has sparked controversy.
Daily newspaper Libération published an article titled, "Did Celine Dion lip-sync during the Olympic opening ceremony?" The outlet cited multiple music industry professionals who asserted that her performance was "without a shadow of a doubt" pre-recorded. "What we heard on TV was a corrected playback," composer and performer Etienne Guéreau told Libération. A sound engineer, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, claimed, "It was 100% playback, you can hear it from the first notes."
However, Dion's fans were outraged by the report. "You don't have more important information to repeat?" one supporter questioned on X, formerly known as Twitter. "What is this need to tarnish, to denigrate? We don't care! You won't take away the emotion we felt at that moment. Celine Dion's vocal performance is admirable regardless." Another fan wrote, "WE DON'T CARE ABOUT YOUR CONTROVERSIES! Congratulations to Celine Dion for her performance!"
Others expressed that even if Dion's performance was pre-recorded, they wouldn't mind. "Who cares—she was great either way," one fan commented. Another referenced Dion's recent health struggles, stating, "She's sick. Let her lip sync."
The singer's performance at the Eiffel Tower marked a triumphant return to the world stage for Dion, who revealed less than two years ago that she had been diagnosed with stiff-person syndrome, an incurable and painful neurological disorder that causes muscles to stiffen and spasm. Many fans wondered if Dion would perform again, but she has shown a resolute determination not to let the disease end her career. "Oh, I'll sing again," she told CBC in April. "I'll sing again. That's for sure." In the recent documentary "I Am: Celine Dion," she says, "If I can't run, I'll walk. If I can't walk, I'll crawl. I won't stop."
