Céline Dion has sparked fresh concern after losing her balance on stage and forgetting the words to one of her best-known songs during an emotional concert in Paris.
The Canadian superstar, 58, was performing her 11th comeback concert at the Paris La Défense Arena on Wednesday when the incidents occurred, according to footage shared on Instagram and a report by French newspaper Le Parisien.
Céline Dion. Photo credit: Featureflash Photo Agency, Shutterstock
Dion returned to live performances last month after years of treatment for stiff-person syndrome, a rare neurological condition that forced her to cancel touring commitments and left her struggling with painful muscle spasms and difficulties controlling her singing voice.
During a performance of Pour que tu m’aimes encore, Dion became visibly emotional as the audience joined her in singing the French-language ballad.
The singer paused, covered her face with her hands and admitted that she had lost her place in the song.
She said: “I’m forgetting my words.”
Audience members helped her continue before she recovered and thanked them for their support.
She added: “Thank goodness you’re here, I’m sorry.”
According to Le Parisien, Dion also lost her balance while performing Un autre monde. However, she quickly recovered and gave the audience a thumbs-up.
The incidents have attracted attention given the singer's ongoing treatment for stiff-person syndrome, although no medical explanation has been established for either episode.
Dion is currently undertaking a five-week residency in the French capital, with 16 performances scheduled for autumn 2026 and a further 10 dates planned for May 2027.
Her return follows years of uncertainty over whether she would be able to perform again after publicly revealing her diagnosis in December 2022.
Stiff-person syndrome affects the nervous system and can cause severe muscle stiffness, spasms and difficulties with movement. Dion has previously spoken about how the condition affected her ability to walk and sing.
The singer, whose international hits include My Heart Will Go On, The Power of Love, Because You Loved Me and It's All Coming Back to Me Now, documented her experiences in the 2024 film I Am: Céline Dion.
The documentary showed the physical and emotional impact of her illness, including an episode of severe muscle spasms during treatment.
Dion's comeback began on September 12, when she returned to the stage in Paris after a six-year absence from full concerts.
Following her opening performance of On ne change pas, she addressed the audience about the difficult journey back to live music.
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 have to admit, though, that the road was rocky. The journey was longer than expected, with unplanned stops along the way.”
The singer had previously vowed to perform again despite the severity of her condition. She also made a widely celebrated appearance at the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics in 2024.
Her performance of Hymne à l’amour from the Eiffel Tower marked her first major public musical appearance following her diagnosis.
Since then, Dion has undertaken an intensive rehabilitation programme involving medication, physical therapy, vocal exercises and immunotherapy.
Her Paris performances have also featured a personal tribute to her late husband and former manager, René Angélil, who died in 2016.
