Céline Dion Delivers Harmony-Filled Impromptu Performance Backstage at 2024 Grammy Awards
Céline Dion made a surprise appearance at the 2024 Grammy Awards, but her return to the stage was only as a presenter. The musician, who has been largely out of the public eye as she battles with stiff-person syndrome, presented the award for Album of the Year on Sunday event. But with some of the biggest names in music packed into the same building, Dion couldn’t help but break into song backstage at the show.
On Instagram, the singer and songwriter Sonyaé Elise shared a montage of Grammy Awards highlights, including one video in which she and Dion delivered an a cappella performance. The pair traded lyrics back and forth, riffing on each other’s harmonies with the Canadian icon leading the way.
“When I say I’m happy to be here, I really mean it from my heart,” Dion had told the Grammys audience when she took the stage earlier in the night. “Those who have been blessed enough to be here at the Grammy Awards must never take for granted the tremendous love and joy music brings to our lives and people all around the world.”
Dion presented Taylor Swift with Album of the Year during the ceremony, although Swift has been criticized online for not appearing to acknowledge the veteran musician while accepting the award from her. In the midst of her breaking the record for most career Album of the Year wins, Swift grabbed the trophy and celebrated with her friends on stage while Dion maneuvered out of their way. The pair were photographed together backstage later in the night, counteracting any perceived disrespect that the audience read into the brief interaction.
Dion’s last significant public appearance was in November when she attended and sang at a hockey game between the Vegas Golden Knights and the Montreal Canadiens. Stiff-person syndrome, an autoimmune neurological disease that causes muscle stiffness and painful spasms, has made it difficult for the singer to commit to a performance schedule due to the uncertainty of the condition.
Most of Dion’s recent live performances have been canceled as she deals with the rare disorder. Last year, she scrapped a number of shows in Europe, explaining: “I’m working really hard to build back my strength, but touring can be very difficult even when you’re 100%. It’s not fair to you to keep postponing the shows, and even though it breaks my heart, it’s best that we cancel everything now until I’m really ready to be back on stage again.”