Céline Dion WAS due to perform at the Eurovision Song Contest in Basel

Image: EBU

French news site Le Parisien has revealed that Céline Dion was due to perform at the Eurovision Song Contest in Basel this year.

The revelations were revealed as part of a new documentary celebrating the 30th anniversary of her album D'eux.

Céline appeared on screen during the first semi-final of Eurovision 2025 in Basel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wloMlKbmMCY

"Dear Eurovision family and contestants. I'd love nothing more than to be with you in Basel right now," she said at the time.

"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."

During the week of Eurovision, her private jet was spotted in Basel leading many to believe she would make a physical appearance. ,

Just hours before the Grand Final, Eurovision Director Martin Green CBE, hinted at the possibility.

"Father Christmas exists, and you'll have to wait and see," he said when asked if she'd perform.

Céline had health issues that stopped her appearing

The Le Parisien reports states why and how she missed performing in the Grand Final.

"She flew to Basel (Switzerland), where she was due to perform Ne partez pas sans moi, the song with which she won the Grand Prix for Switzerland in 1988," they said.

"An excerpt was even played during rehearsals, which took place behind closed doors. However, upon arriving at the venue, the artist suffered a seizure that prevented her from singing. She then immediately left the venue and took a jet to Las Vegas."

She has been living with stiff person syndrome since 2022 which has had a significant impact on her health and her ability to perform.

She did, however, famously appear on top of the Eiffel Tower for the Opening Ceremony of the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wQ-GYnKPYM

An embrace of the Contest not seen before

Despite not performing, Céline's willingness to appear is a shift in her attitude towards Eurovision.

Celine won Eurovision 1988 by a single point with her song Ne partez pas sans moi.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXLWfXmlXPc

The French Canadian singer began her music career in Europe and represented Switzerland the year she won.

She returned to the 1989 Eurovision Song Contest in Lausanne to perform a reprise of her winning song.

However, after her career took off internationally, she famously avoided the topic of Eurovision and her winning song.

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