The Billboard Music Awards really rocked last night. Whereas the Grammys were a snoozefest with the exception of Kendrick Lamar, the BBMAs were like a party where every performance brought in a fresh vibe. The highlight of the night for me was Celine Dion’s performance of “The Show Must Go On.” Celine was accepting the icon award, and she proved that she was every bit the icon with her emotional, raw performance. I know this is all professionalism and decades of experience but it looks so natural for her that it’s like she was born a star. She gave me goosebumps and even while rewatching it I started getting teary before she finished.
When it was time for her to accept the award, presenter Seal explained that Celine’s son, René-Charles, would present her with it and that’s when she lost it. (Sidenote: René is 15 and he’s such a handsome young man! He looks like an actor.) Celine asked René to stay with her on stage and he stood there like a champ supporting his mom. She cried as she explained how hard it’s been without her husband, René Angélil, who passed away this January after a long battle with cancer. (Just know that I’m crying a little as I type this up.)
Celine thanked Lindsey Stirling, the violist who accompanied her, and she also thanked her fans and family. At the end she talked about her husband, and this part really got me. “Most importantly, my beloved husband, whom I know will continue to watch over me from up above.” She said something in French and held up her award. “René this one’s for you, the show must go on.”
Celine’s performance was just flabbergasting. I so want to see her in Vegas now. She’s only playing at The Colosseum up until June 4, but she’ll be back in September.
Here’s Celine’s performance and acceptance speech! (via JustJared)
photos credit: WENN.com
Celine is such a classy woman. I still get shivers every time I hear ‘The Power of Love’.
Me too actually. You feel every word when she sings that song
As a fellow Canadian I’m glad to call her one of our own. She has shown such grace throughout her career and especially during this difficult time in her life. My heart will always go on for Celine
This woman needs to release a new album. I would take her over Adele any day. And yes I’m dragging Adele into this because I have accused Adele of singing depressing love songs and someone said Celine did a lot of love songs as well. But Celine songs were not all depressing. Her love songs were not always about heartbreak or getting even with one who broke her heart. Her songs were expressions of love and she has sung each and every one of them with real emotions and strength.
This family has always seemed like the real deal…and Celine’s kid is gorgeous.
I’ve always loved her and agree that she and her family/marriage sound like the real thing.
That’s why I was disappointed when I read that blind. I don’t want to believe it could be true.
Handsome young man!
He DOES look like an actor/star!
What blind? I mean, I just googled and there are blinds out there that say she has a secret child, lesbian, broke due to his gambling debts…I’d go with not true.
There’s a very recent revealed one that he was sexually harassing his Filipino nurses, and she was writing the checks to cover it up. I take it with a grain of salt, cause of the source.
So… I would actually be inclined to believe that the paying off of nurses might have been true, but maybe not in a sinister way. A lot of times when someone has a long drawn out end, they are on some petty heavy pain medications. It is not uncommon at all for people to act in appropriately, or not themselves. She may have preferred to pay for their silence, in not wanting to taint his memory. Total conjecture, but a possibility.
We’re so used to auto-tuned singers, it’s almost shocking when we hear a legitimate singer who can really move you with their voice. Celine is one such singer and I hope she is comforted by her sons.
She’s really the last of her kind. Not a lot of singers can sing live. She can it was marvelous!
I agree with you Celebitchy. Celine was born a star. Such a CLASS ACT!
Who would you rather be, Rene Charles or Rocco?
I know – duh.
You do know that both are underage, right? Hopefully you’re a teen because otherwise eww.
Kaz is asking who readers would rather BE, i.e., whom they would rather have as a mother!!! Celine, who demonstrates love, respect, and behaves in a motherly fashion towards her son or Madonna, who while I don’t doubt she loves her son, was immature in her antics regarding the custody battle with Guy Ritchie.
@Renee
Okay just reread their comment you are right. I think I just read ” Who would you rather” and just skipped the be once I saw it was about two teenagers. Thanks.
@Kaz_ Please accept my apologies for misreading your comment and insinuating things about you. Very sorry.
No worries. I thought I was being clear, but maybe not.
I can’t believe her son is that old. He’s a handsome young guy.
Her son is sooooo cute! I can’t believe that is the little boy with the long hair. He is growing up so handsomely.
I wish more of the great singing divas had done such a great job as she has at preserving her voice.
“Thanks to all those who believed in me.” That’s what she says in French.
Her son is growing up into a very cute young man. How sad he and the twins…what are they now, around 5 years old or so?..will grow up without their father.
So sweet – such a gracious woman and an amazing performer. Also, the way she reached for Rene-Charles’ hand as they left the stage. You could just see him at 3 as they left some play date.
I noticed that too! such a “mom” move. really sweet.
What a voice! She has really stood the test of time too, Mariah Carey who is another “legend” and about same age really isn’t near Celine’s level.
Thee best performance of the night hands down!
She brought tears to my eyes!
Her son looks so much like his dad!
Amazing vocals. Best of the night.
I got very emotional watching her, and her efforts not to cry when her son came out…what a class act.
her son looks like kevin zegers from air-bud
Absolutely incredible. This woman’s voice is like a miracle! I can’t believe she has done such an amazing job at taking care of her voice when you have girls like Mariah sounding like train wrecks.
This just makes you wonder how entertainment has changed so much. THIS is real talent. This current generation (which I am a part of by the way) needs to take note.
I used to think she was cheesy but it’s all so genuine. Huge talent. So proud she’s Canadian.
Not much old school class and talent in the music industry these days, but Celine sure has it. Bless her heart.
Must be hard for her to lose her husband, they seemed to be so close.
Thought Celine was amazing last night and did a great job of the Freddy Mercury song, and she looked amazing, her figure, dress and hair, all looked great, she has class and doesnt dress and dance around like a stripper, like some of the other performers did.
if I ever did a grammy performance or whatever, this is what i would want it to look like. just sheer raw talent and power. It was a breath taking performance and I don’t even consider myself a celine dion fan
Never thought of Celine one way or another but after seeing that all I can is diva!!i want to go to Vegas to see her now!
She’s a class act and it’s not just pretend.
I got the chance to meet her about 15 years ago and she was just so nice. When I read or hear about the young “celebrities” who make their fans pay for a picture or even snub them, I get enraged. Where would they be without them?
We were all in a hotel suite waiting for her. She was running late because she had been doing back to back press and show tapings but we had been warned about her being late and were waiting while chatting and eating and all of a sudden she just barged in and collapsed on the sofa. Huge silence. She looked at us and said “please, carry on. Don’t mind me”.
We laughed and the ice was broken.
After the interview (it was for a radio show), she took the time to meet all of us, take photos, sign plenty of things, talk to us. She even mingled with the family members who were with us youngsters! We were her last engagement of the day and at NO point, did we get the feeling that she was in a hurry to get out of there. The meet and greet was not cut short. THAT is the key to longevity, I think. While my musical tastes have evolved (I still have fond memories but I prefer old school Celine music TBH) the respect I have for her and her talent remain.
Her music is not at all to my taste but I can respect that she’s a true professional. I think she’s basically the pinnacle of that style of music.
There are some artists whom I think do not deserve wealth and fame they aren’t talented, nice, or inspiring people. I have never felt anything but love for Celine. She is genuinely talented and one of the best pop stars of her generation if not the best. She is also incredibly gracious to her fans and you can tell she is grateful for everything they have given to her. I found her late husband to be a bit sketchy but I do not doubt that he was the love of Celine’s life regardless of what his intentions were when he first managed her career. I hope she can move on and someday meet another man who will be good to her.
She’s lovely. I hope she has much happiness ahead of her after living through the ordeal of her husband’s long illness and death.
A rare talent. She has been through absolute hell. I wish her peace and happiness. And that boy is stunning.
Oh man, I cried too when her accepting the award from her son. I seriously can’t see people cry.
“The show must go on …” LOL.
Am I the only one, here, who’s not a fan? Thankfully her son took after the father in the looks department. She needs a lot of makeup and still looks homely.