Canadian singer Celine Dion presents the Album Of The Year award on stage during the 66th Annual Grammy Awards at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on February 4, 2024. Photo: AFP
Celine Dion appeared in front of an audience for the first time in more than four years on Sunday (Feb 4) night. The singer presented Taylor Swift with the Album of the Year award at the Grammy Awards show from Krypto.com Arena in Los Angeles
Dion was an unannounced presenter, revealed just as she was announced to the stage.
“Thank you all. I love you right back,” she paused and said, “You are beautiful.”
Dion went on, “Those who have been blessed enough to be here, the Grammy Awards, must never take for granted the tremendous love and joy that music brings to our lives and to people all around the world.”
Sting and Diana Ross presented the award to Dion nearly 20 years ago.
Dion moved easily and wore a loose-fitting beige coat while announcing Swift’s fourth Album of the Year award. Dion remained on stage during Swift’s acceptance speech for Midnights.
AEG Senior Vice President John Nelson was with Dion in L.A. He described the appearance as “a surprise, special moment.” Only a tease earlier in the day by CNN that a special moment planned for the show gave any hint that Dion would be on stage.
Dion’s most recent concert was March 9, 2020, at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.
“She looked beautiful and was very happy to be here,” Nelson said in a phone chat. He had no further information about Dion’s participation in the show.
“It was so stealth. I don’t want to speak for Celine. But people can judge for themselves what she is feeling right now.”
Dion has been unable to perform after announcing in 2022 she is suffering from Stiff Person Syndrome. Her Resorts World Theatre residency, a partnership with AEG Presents, has been sidelined since November 2021.
Dion won her first Grammy in 1992, and has garnered 16 nominations. Her awards include album of the year and record of the year.
Dion will appear in a coming documentary, I Am: Celine Dion, which will take viewers behind the curtain at a crucial moment in her life. - Las Vegas Review-Journal/Tribune News Service
Celine Dion appears onstage during the 66th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California, U.S., February 4, 2024. Photo: Reuters
