Bodyguard literally lifts Celine Dion in Paris comeback

**Celine Dion Receives a Boost from Bodyguard as She Welcomes Fans in Paris**

Celine Dion stepped out of her car in Paris on Wednesday, assisted by her bodyguard who pressed a hand against her back to lift her into the cheering crowd outside the hotel. The Canadian singer, 58, smiled broadly as she waved to the sea of fans gathered in front of her accommodation.

Her appearance was polished: a Givenchy black suit layered under a long grey herringbone wool coat, dark hair pulled into a low bun, a £2,690 The Row clutch and large pair of Givenchy sunglasses.

The gesture was the second time this month that the singer’s 58‑year‑old protector helped her elevate herself for the public. She emerged from the hotel in towering stilettos and blew kisses to the audience, signaling her return to live performance after a year-long hiatus.

The event marked the opening of her five‑week residency, her first set of concerts since canceling the remainder of her Courage world tour in 2023.

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## Paris Residency Highlights

During the opening night of her Paris residency on Saturday, Dion delivered an emotional speech that revealed the personal stakes behind her return. After performing “On ne change pas” she said, “I had promised myself not to cry. Here we are…

I'm standing on stage in this city that I love so much, thanks to your support and your love.” She added, “I made a promise to be back on stage. So here I am, singing for you and singing for me, singing live! Thank you so very much for your support, your patience and if I may say so, I am everything I am because you loved me.”

The concert showcased her resilience; she had been diagnosed with Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS) in December 2022, a condition that can cause muscle stiffness and painful spasms. In the same speech she said, “By living with it day in and day out, I've come to terms with it.

And I've decided to make it my reason for living.” She urged the audience to share energy: “But look around here – all around you, right here in this room – we don't know what the person next to us is going through. There are people going through hardships, grief and sorrow. So let's take that energy and share it.”

The residency will feature 16 shows in autumn 2026 and 10 additional dates in May 2027. Tickets for the opening dates sold out almost immediately after she announced her comeback in March. The shows are billed as a milestone after the singer’s forced cancellation of the Courage tour, which was halted in 2023.

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## Overcoming Stiff Person Syndrome

Dion has been undergoing an intensive rehabilitation program that includes new medication, physical therapy, vocal therapy and immunotherapy. She works out 90‑minute Pilates sessions three times a week, as well as twice‑weekly ballet and barre classes.

Her home gym is equipped with weights, a treadmill and a reformer machine, and she reports that her flexibility has increased since she started the new routine.

In an interview with Harper’s Bazaar about her regimen, she described it as “falling and getting back up repeatedly,” adding that she was proud of herself for achieving something her body “wasn't born to do.” She noted, “It is a progressive condition.

I don’t like to say ‘disease.’ Disease makes you go like this,” and jokingly added, “Kevin, you’re such a disease.” The singer’s 2024 documentary, *I Am: Celine Dion*, also documents the brutality of the condition and her journey toward recovery.

The last time Dion performed on stage was in Riyadh. Earlier in the same year she sang at the Paris Olympics in 2024, marking her return to live audiences after a period of isolation prompted by fears that fans would assume she was living a normal life while still canceling shows.

She has also expressed a newfound appreciation for nature, describing a vision of herself “trying to disappear through the leaves” during autumn.

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## Future Performances and Plans

Looking ahead, Dion remains committed to her Paris residency and the broader tour schedule. She has confirmed that the upcoming shows will continue to emphasize her personal story of resilience, as reflected in her speeches and public appearances.

The five‑week run in Paris is a significant step toward restoring her performance schedule after the cancellation of the Courage tour.

Dion’s bodyguard, who shares her age of 58, will likely continue to support her onstage and offstage as she navigates the physical demands of touring with SPS.

The singer’s appearance in a Givenchy ensemble, complete with a £2,690 The Row clutch and large sunglasses, signals that she remains focused on delivering a polished, professional experience for fans.

As the residency progresses, fans can expect the same blend of vocal prowess and heartfelt storytelling that has defined Dion’s career. Her journey from a health crisis to a triumphant return underscores her determination to keep performing for those who have supported her through every challenge.