Latest news with #NePartezPasSansMoi
France 24
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- France 24
Eurovision says 'wait and see' on Celine Dion
"Father Christmas exists, and you'll have to wait and see," Eurovision director Martin Green told a press conference, when asked directly if Dion might show up. At both of Friday's dress rehearsals for the final, as at Tuesday's semi-final, a video message from Dion was played, with the presenters announcing that she could not be with them in Basel, Switzerland for the world's biggest televised live music event. But Eurovision 2025 co-executive producer Moritz Stadler said on Saturday that the show was still being adapted. "There are constant changes. Our team has been working overnight until very late," he said. "We continue changing it for the grand final." BBC television reported that Dion's private plane was in Basel, but did not know if she was on it. And Swiss newspaper Blick said that selected staff with printed schedules for the final "can see that the recorded greeting from the rehearsals and the first Eurovision semi-final is no longer included". "This indicates that the clip played during rehearsals has been replaced," the tabloid added. Dion's health 'top priority' Dion, 57, is now a global music icon. But she has never forgotten the role the song contest played in launching her on the international stage. Dion was 20 and little-known outside her native French-speaking Quebec province in Canada when she won Eurovision in 1988, representing Switzerland with the song "Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi". Switzerland duly hosted Eurovision 1989, where Dion opened the TV extravaganza with her winning French-language song. She then premiered the single "Where Does My Heart Beat Now" -- heralding her career switch into English, which set her on the path to global chart domination. With Eurovision 2025 returning to Switzerland, organisers reached out to Dion. However, the singer is now battling a debilitating health condition and rarely appears in public. "We are still in contact with Celine Dion. As always, her health remains our top priority," a Eurovision 2025 spokeswoman told AFP on Friday. 'Music unites us' Dion first disclosed in December 2022 that she had been diagnosed with Stiff Person Syndrome, a painful autoimmune disorder which is progressive and for which there is no cure. She was forced to cancel a string of shows scheduled for 2023 and 2024, saying she was not strong enough to tour. But she gave a surprise, show-stopping performance from the Eiffel Tower at the Paris 2024 Olympics opening ceremony. "I'd love nothing more than to be with you in Basel right now," Dion said in her video clip. "Winning the Eurovision Song Contest for Switzerland in 1988 was a life-changing moment for me. "Music unites us -- not only tonight, not only in this wonderful moment. It is our strength, our support, and our accompaniment in times of need." © 2025 AFP
RTÉ News
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Eurovision will have to 'wait and see' if Celine Dion performs
The 2025 Eurovision Song Contest final in Switzerland will have to "wait and see" if Celine Dion performs. There has been speculation that Canadian singer Dion, who won for the Swiss in 1988 with Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi, could take to the St Jakobshalle stage, amid her stepping back from touring due to health issues. She did appear during the first semi-final on Tuesday, where she sent a video message saying she wants "nothing more" than to be in Basel, and recalling her triumph as a "life-changing moment". At a press briefing on Saturday, Eurovision director Martin Green, from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), commented on Dion, saying: "My answer was going to be, Father Christmas exist, you'll have to wait and see." When asked by the PA news agency if he was feeling relieved that the contest has not seen significant incidents so far compared to 2024's Malmo, when protests and politics overshadowed the singing event amid the outbreak of war in Gaza, he said that he was feeling "quite emotional". Mr Green added: "I would be lying, of course, if we didn't come into this hoping that we could re-establish a sense of unity, calm and togetherness this year in a difficult world, every single person over the past few months has worked to make that happen, not by force, but through conversation and demonstration of common-held values. "And we have 12 hours to go, and if we get there, and I think we will, I am just in awe of this thing for making a really profoundly beautiful statement to the rest of the world." The Basel government said more than half a million people have visited the city so far this week after the competition came home to Switzerland, which first hosted it in 1956 in Lugano. The Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final takes place on Saturday, 17 May, and will be shown live on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player from 8pm.
Daily Mirror
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Celine Dion fuels Eurovision rumours as she jets to Basel amid health woes
Celine Dion was spotted jetting to Basel ahead of the Eurovision 2025 final on Saturday night, but it is still uncertain if she will be able to perform at the event Celine Dion has jetted off to Basel ahead of the Eurovision Song Contest, yet it remains uncertain whether she will grace the event with her presence. The music icon's private plane departed from Paris for Switzerland yesterday morning, marking 37 years since her victorious performance for the country with Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi. However, it is reported that discussions are still underway and her potential appearance hangs in the balance due to her health concerns. The 57 year old singer, who won Eurovision in Dublin in 1988, has faced difficulties with her singing abilities since disclosing her battle with Stiff Person Syndrome in December 2022, although she did manage a rare performance at the Paris Olympics last summer. A source close to Eurovision revealed to The Sun: "The team have been talking to Celine about appearing or performing at the ceremony for months and it has been very up and down." "At one point this week, it looked like she would not be attending, but now it is looking far more likely she will be there. Rehearsals have gone ahead without her, but everyone is crossing their fingers. It'll be down to the wire." Despite being in Las Vegas, Celine sent a video message to Eurovision which was aired during Tuesday's semi-final, hinting that she might not make it to the event. Celine said in the short video: "Dear Eurovision family and contestants, I'd love nothing more than to be with you in Basel right now. Switzerland will forever hold a special place in my heart. It's a country that believed in me and gave me the chance to be part of something so extraordinary. "Winning the Eurovision Song Contest for Switzerland in 1988 was a life-changing moment for me, and I'm so thankful for everyone who supported me. Now, 37 years later, it's so beautiful and emotional to see Switzerland winning and hosting this incredible event once again. To the people of Switzerland, thank you for your love. This night is yours, and I hope you feel as proud as I do." Celine's video message left fans emotional, while others were left questioning if she will in fact appear in the grand final tonight. Celine was representing Switzerland when she won more than 30 years ago. That marked the last time that the country, which has won three times overall, topped the leaderboard prior to Nemo's victory with the Code last year. She's enjoyed a successful career since competing in the contest but has taken a step back from performing since announcing in 2022 that she'd been diagnosed with stiff-person syndrome (SPS) in 2022. It's described as a rare neurological disorder, with symptoms said to include muscle stiffness and spasms. She however made a 'comeback' at the Olympics in Paris last year, where she performed on top of the Eiffel Tower.
Scottish Sun
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Hopes rise Celine Dion could make rare performance at Eurovision after jetting in amid crippling health battle
CELINE DION has flown to Basel ahead of Eurovision, but is yet to confirm if she will make an appearance. The superstar's private jet left Paris for Switzerland yesterday morning, 37 years after she won the contest for the country with Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi. 2 Celine Dion has flown into Switzerland and is hoping to make an appearance at Eurovision Credit: Getty However, The Sun can reveal that negotiations are still ongoing, and a potential performance is up in the air due to her turbulent health. Celine, 57, has struggled to sing since she revealed in December 2022 that she was battling Stiff Person Syndrome, although she did give a rare performance at the Paris Olympics last summer. A Eurovision insider said: 'The team have been talking to Celine about appearing or performing at the ceremony for months and it has been very up and down. "At one point this week, it looked like she would not be attending, but now it is looking far more likely she will be there. "Rehearsals have gone ahead without her, but everyone is crossing their fingers. 'It'll be down to the wire.' Celine sent a video message, shown during Tuesday's semi-final, which appeared to indicate she would not be travelling to the event from her Las Vegas home. The My Heart Will Go On singer said: 'I'd love nothing more than to be with you in Basel right now. Winning the Eurovision Song Contest for Switzerland in 1988 was a life-changing moment for me. 'Music unites us. It is our strength, our support . . . in times of need.' Celine Dion fans 'in tears' as singer stuns in surprise appearance at NHL draft as she battles Stiff Persons Syndrome
The Irish Sun
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Hopes rise Celine Dion could make rare performance at Eurovision after jetting in amid crippling health battle
CELINE DION has flown to Basel ahead of Eurovision, but is yet to confirm if she will make an appearance. The superstar's private jet left Paris for Switzerland yesterday morning, 37 years after she won the contest for the country with Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi. Advertisement 2 Celine Dion has flown into Switzerland and is hoping to make an appearance at Eurovision Credit: Getty However, The Sun can reveal that negotiations are still ongoing, and a potential performance is up in the air due to Celine, 57, has struggled to sing since she revealed in December 2022 that she was battling Stiff Person Syndrome, although she did give a rare performance at the Paris Olympics last summer . A Eurovision insider said: 'The team have been talking to Celine about appearing or performing at the ceremony for months and it has been very up and down. "At one point this week, it looked like she would not be attending, but now it is looking far more likely she will be there. Advertisement READ MORE EUROVISION "Rehearsals have gone ahead without her, but everyone is crossing their fingers. 'It'll be down to the wire.' Celine sent a video message, shown during Tuesday's semi-final, which appeared to indicate she would not be travelling to the event from her Las Vegas home. The My Heart Will Go On singer said: 'I'd love nothing more than to be with you in Basel right now. Winning the Eurovision Song Contest for Switzerland in 1988 was a life-changing moment for me. Advertisement Most read in News TV Exclusive 'Music unites us. It is our strength, our support . . . in times of need.' Celine Dion fans 'in tears' as singer stuns in surprise appearance at NHL draft as she battles Stiff Persons Syndrome 2 Celine Dion won Eurovision for Switzerland in Dublin back in 1988 Credit: Alamy
