Celine Dion took the stage Saturday night for the first time in six years, opening a sold-out residency at the Plenitude Arena in Nanterre near Paris. The Canadian singer performed despite her 2022 diagnosis of stiff person syndrome, a rare neurological condition that causes muscle spasms and stiffness.

Dion opened the show with the French-language hit "On Ne Change Pas," becoming emotional and breaking into tears during the performance. She told the crowd she had promised not to cry but described the tears as ones of joy. Speaking mostly in French, she thanked fans for their support and patience, saying she had made a promise to return to the stage.

The performance marked the start of 16 concerts in the current run, with an additional 10 dates scheduled for 2027. Tickets sold out rapidly amid high demand, with reports of over nine million registration attempts. Dion last headlined a full concert in March 2020 before health issues and the COVID-19 pandemic halted her tours.

She has described training rigorously like an athlete in recent years, including Pilates and ballet sessions, to regain strength for live performances. Dion made a notable appearance singing at the 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony, her first live performance after the diagnosis.

The residency has generated significant excitement in Paris, with fans gathering outside her hotel and local events like free karaoke organized in her honor. Dion, one of the best-selling artists of all time with over 260 million albums sold, performed a mix of English and French hits during the show, including staples such as "My Heart Will Go On."

The event drew thousands to the arena, underscoring her enduring popularity and resilience in overcoming the challenges of her condition.