2024 Olympics: Kelly Clarkson Tears Up Over Céline Dion’s Comeback

2024 Olympics: Kelly Clarkson Tears Up Over Céline Dion’s Comeback

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Kelly Clarkson has tears behind those hazel eyes. 

The “Since U Been Gone” singer broke down crying while watching Céline Dion’s comeback performance at the Eiffel Tower during the 2024 Paris Olympics’ Opening Ceremony. 

“I actually can’t talk,” Kelly said while co-hosting NBC’s coverage of the July 26 event. “A one-of-a-kind Opening Ceremony.”

The American Idol alum went on to praise Céline—whose been battling stiff-person syndrome for over two years—for delivering an “incredible” rendition of Édith Piaf’s “Hymne A L’Amour” during her first live performance since 2020. 

“I was not ready for that,” Kelly continued. “If you know anything about Céline right now, she feels this is her purpose.”

And the Kelly Clarkson Show host wasn’t done getting choked up about the comeback, with her even struggling to speak as she recounted the “My Heart Will Go On” singer’s empowering health journey. 

“I’m so sorry, I’m trying to hold it together,” Kelly said, “But that she got through that, that was incredible.”

The 42-year-old added, “In my field, she is the gold winner for vocal athletes.”

Céline publicly shared her stiff-person syndrome diagnosis in 2022, explaining that she had to cancel her Courage World Tour as the “very rare” neurological disorder had been affecting “every aspect” of her daily life. 

Two years later, the 56-year-old—who shares sons René-Charles, 23, and 13-year-old twins Nelson and Eddy with her late husband René Angélil—detailed her struggles with the condition in the documentary I Am: Céline Dion, revealing that, at one point, the diagnosis nearly cost her her life.   

— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) July 26, 2024

But along with chronicling the challenges, Céline has also showed fans her unwavering dedication to returning to the stage and achieving her goal of seeing the Eiffel Tower once again.

“They way I see it, I have two choices,” she told Vogue France in an interview published April 22. “Either I train like an athlete and work super hard, or I switch off and it’s over, I stay at home, listen to my songs, stand in front of my mirror and sing to myself.” 

Céline added, “I’ve chosen to work with all my body and soul, from head to toe, with a medical team. I want to be the best I can be.”

Photo by: Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal via Getty Images / Screengrab by IOC via Getty Images

(E! News and NBC are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)

Read on for more unforgettable moments from the Opening Ceremony…

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

Red, White and Blue

The Eiffel Tower and Opening Ceremony stands are illuminated with color in honor of the French flag.

Miguel Tona/POOL/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Burning Bright

The Olympic Cauldron takes flight after being lit at the 2024 Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony.

Shutterstock

Iconic Night

Céline Dion closes out the show with a powerful performance atop the Eiffel Tower.

Screengrab by IOC via Getty Images

Comeback Moment

The singer beautifully belted out “Hymne A L’Amour” during her return to the stage.

YOAN VALAT/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

The GOATs

Serena Williams, Carl Lewis, Nadia Comaneci and Rafael Nadal light up the night with the Olympic torch.

Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

Sporting Greats

French soccer star Zinedine Zidane passes the Olympic torch to Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal.

Loic Venance – Pool/Getty Images

Laser Focus

The Eiffel Tower lights up the night.

François-Xavier Marit – Pool/Getty Images

Let the Games Begin

Athletes from around the world gather in front of the Eiffel Tower for Opening Ceremony.

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Wave Your Banner

The mystery horse rider carries the Olympic flag to the Place du Trocadero.

AP Photo/Petr David Josek, Pool via Getty Images

Light Up the Night

The Parade of Nations travel along the Seine river.

Stephanie Lecocq – Pool/Getty Images

The World Stage

Flags from countries competing in the Olympics fly high.

Alex Pantling/Getty Images

Sharing All the World

Pianist Sofiane Pamart and singer Juliette Armanet perform “Imagine” from a float on the Seine.

Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Athletic Spirit

The Refugee Olympic Team—which is made up of 37 athletes representing millions worldwide who have been forcibly displaced—share a loving message.

Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Play On

Musicians at the Opening Ceremony keep dry in their rain ponchos.

Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

Race to the Finish Line

The Olympic flag is carried down the Seine on a galloping metal horse.

Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Scenes From the Seine

Team Australia is all-smiles as their boat passes by the Eiffel Tower.

Peter Cziborra – Pool/Getty Images

Fanning the Flames

The masked torchbearer runs along the Musee d’Orsay during the Opening Ceremony.

Hector Vivas/Getty Images

Can’t Rain on Their Parade

Despite the wet weather, Team Spain marches forward to the Place du Trocadero.

Nir Elias – Pool/Getty Images

Smile for the Camera

Team Italy’s flag bearers Arianna Errigo and Gianmarco Tamberi snap a selfie together.

BRIAN INGANGA / Contributor / GETTY IMAGES

Heart of Paris

The Eiffel Tower is decorated with the Olympic rings.

Maja Hitij / Staff / GETTY IMAGES

Hej!

Swedish athletes greet the crowd during the Parade of Nations.

Kevin C. Cox / Staff / GETTY IMAGES

Making Memories

Team Liberia captures all the sights and sounds from their boat.

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

The City of Lights

The Eiffel Tower awaits the arrival of the world’s athletes.

Michael Reaves/Getty Images

Teamwork

Jordan’s Rama Abo-Alrub and Saleh Elsharabaty bear their country’s flag together. 

Steph Chambers / Staff / GETTY IMAGES

Hometown Pride

The Bahamian flag waves atop the country’s boat on the Seine river. 

Pool / GETTY IMAGES

Ready for the Competition

Switzerland is ready to bring the heat to this summer’s Games. 

Maja Hitij/Getty Images

Here Come the Red, White and Blue

Team USA makes their debut on the Seine. 

Dan Mullan/Getty Images

Raindrops Keep Falling on Their Heads

But that didn’t stop these rooftop dancers from turning out a spectacular performance. 

John Walton – PA Images / Contributor / GETTY IMAGES

When It Rains it Pours

Yet the Cabo Verde Olympic team didn’t let it dim their joy. 

Naomi Baker/Getty Images

Fine Art

Reproductions of some of the most famous paintings from Paris’ Louvre Museum decorate the River Seine. 

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