The talented, inspirational Queen of Power Ballads, Céline Dion, has once more graced the runway in her third performance of the year. On Nov. 13, the best-selling Canadian artist of all time took the stage at the 1001 Seasons of Elie Saab event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, delivering powerful performances of her iconic hits, The Power of Love (1993) and I’m Alive (2002).
The Elie Saab gala, held in celebration of the Lebanese brand’s 45th anniversary, showcased over 300 stunning runway looks. The event highlighted the brand’s timeless elegance and innovation, with each piece embodying the artistry and craftsmanship that Elie Saab is renowned for.
The star-studded affair attracted A-listers, including Halle Berry, who turned heads in the iconic Elie Saab gown she wore to the 2002 Academy Awards, when she made history as the first African-American woman to win the Oscar for Best Actress.
Céline Owns the Red Carpet
In addition to the mesmerizing fashion, the evening also featured musical performances, with Céline Dion headlining the entertainment and delivering unforgettable renditions of her iconic hits in some of Elie Saab’s best work to date.
Céline was styled by the legendary Law Roach. For her entrance, Dion wowed in an ethereal pink and white Elie Saab creation, adorned with ruffled shoulders and a trailing train that swept the floor.
For her performance, she donned a stunning floor-length gown in blush-nude pink, adorned with crystal embellishments, a billowy built-in cape, and an array of sparkling details.
An Unforgettable Performance by a Living Icon
The night’s entertainment kicked off with Jennifer Lopez, who delivered a powerful rendition of Gloria Gaynor’s I Will Survive before launching into her own iconic hits like Waiting for Tonight, On the Floor, and Let’s Get Loud. The performance marked Lopez’s first since canceling her tour in the aftermath of her divorce from actor Ben Affleck.
Following Lopez’s performance, Camila Cabello took the stage, adding her own spark to the evening with performances of Never Be the Same and
Then came the queen, who closed out the show.
For her performance, Céline took the stage donning a floor-length, embellished pink Elie Saab gown that shimmered with a cascade of sparkles and featured a dramatic built-in cape and delivered incredible performances as models walked passed her dressed in extravagant gowns.
As she came into her final two versus of I’m Alive, the audience rose to their feet and sang along with her so loudly, the singer stopped singing looking truly moved by the moment, appearing to hold back tears. She quietly sings along to her own songs away from the mic, letting the audiences take the last verses.
Mrs. Dion closed the show while models walked past her. When she ended her performance, the Man of the Hour, designer Elie Saab himself, came out to greet and escort her off stage to thunderous applause.
“Being here for the first time is kind of a dream come true,” Céline said on the red carpet ahead of her performance. “And Monsieur Elie Saab and his entourage and his beautiful family has welcomed us here–my manager, my son and all the people that I needed to support me to be here.”
Céline’s Battle With Stiff Person Syndrome
In addition to her riveting vocals, part of what made her performance so powerful is that the icon has been navigating some incredibly tough years.
Céline took a break from performing, including canceling several tour dates, after being diagnosed with Stiff-Person Syndrome (SPS), a rare and debilitating autoimmune and neurological disorder that causes rigidity and painful muscle spasms.
In 2022, Dion revealed she had been struggling with the diagnosis since 2008, after first noting symptoms during her Taking Chances World Tour in a video posted to social media.
Her diagnosis of stiff-persons syndrome led to her postponing and then ultimately cancelling the remaining shows on her Courage tour, as she had to prioritize herself and her health.
The Power of Céline Dion
Céline Dion remains an inspirational figure, showing immense resilience despite facing some of the toughest challenges life has thrown her way. But she didn’t let that stop her.
“I’m going to go back onstage, even if I have to crawl,” she said in an interview with NBC. “Even if I have to talk with my hands, I will. I will.”
The opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics was the first time she performed live since she told the world of her struggle with the chronic illness, closing the show with a rendition of Edith Piaf’s classic Hymne A L’Amour on the Eiffel Tower.
In June 2024, the singer dropped her documentary I Am: Celine Dion, where she shared intimate and raw footage of her struggles with the disease and the therapies she undergoes to reclaim her body.
She has since been seen at events such as the Grammy Awards in February, where she presented the award for Album of the Year and recently at Adele’s concert, where the two shared a tearful and tender moment.
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