Celine Dion is “already hard at work” on putting together her concerts at Paris La Défense Arena, a music insider exclusively tells Us Weekly.
“She wants high production and high fashion but, most importantly, an emotional connection to the audience,” the source shares. “She missed her fans so much. She really thrives on stage and feeds off the crowd’s energy.”
Dion announced on March 30 — her 58th birthday — that she would return to the stage for a limited run of 10 shows in September and October. The demand was so high that she later added six more nights before tickets even went on sale.
After all, the powerhouse vocalist has not performed a full concert since 2020; she was forced to repeatedly postpone her Courage World Tour due to the COVID-19 pandemic and then canceled it entirely after being diagnosed with stiff person syndrome, a rare neurological disorder that causes muscle stiffness and painful spasms.
“She’s finally feeling like herself again — physically, mentally and vocally,” the insider tells Us. “She always knew deep down that she’d come back, but she’s so grateful that the time is here. It’s a dream come true. She isn’t taking it for granted for a second.”
With the help of trusted creatives, including her longtime stylist Annie Horth and Beyoncé‘s Cowboy Carter Tour stage designer Willo Perron, Dion is working tirelessly to put together a special experience for her fans.
“Celine has been throwing out ideas for the setlist, which will be mostly greatest hits from both her English and French catalogs but also some deep cuts she hasn’t done in a while,” the source teases. “There are still a lot of moving parts, but fans can expect ‘My Heart Will Go On,’ ‘The Power of Love,’ ‘It’s All Coming Back to Me Now’ and all of the classics. It’s going to be a celebration of her journey to this point.”
Us Weekly has reached out to Dion’s rep for comment.
The five-time Grammy winner’s return to Paris comes two years after she covered legendary French singer Édith Piaf‘s “Hymne à l’amour” in front of the Eiffel Tower during the 2024 Summer Olympics opening ceremony.
“Over the last few years, every day that’s gone by, I’ve felt your prayers and support, your kindness and love,” Dion told her fans last month. “You’ve helped me in ways that I can’t even describe, and I’m truly fortunate to have your support.”
