Benelux Fall / Winter 2015

People | Cover Story 封 面 故 事
As the red curtain opens, the sold-out crowd erupts
into screaming and applause with a standing ovation,
before even one note is sung. Céline Dion appears as an angel,
donning a flowing white gown adorned with Swarovski
crystals and supermodel blowout hair. A powerhouse disguised
as a princess, Céline’s voice imparts a high-voltage
current of electricity and silky vibrato. She delivers each
number with a core of conviction and ripe emotion that
has audiences cheering one moment, and wiping away a
tear the next.
“There’s something magical about showbiz that only the
fans and only the stage owns,” the French-Canadian singer,
47, says in an interview with Taste of Life. “When you sing
it live, it’s like singing (that hit) for the first time. I can’t explain
it, other than it’s magic.”
It’s that passion that keeps bringing Céline back to the entertainment
industry for over 30 years. During that time
she’s stepped away from stardom periodically to start a
family, rest her vocal chords or in the case of last year’s
sabbatical, to care for her husband René Angelil as he recovered
from surgery. The “Loved Me Back to Life” diva recently
announced she’ll resume her Las Vegas residency at
The Colosseum at Caesars Palace on August 27.
“We are back [in action]. We are still together and stronger
than ever,” she says with a fire of enthusiasm in her voice.
“René is a champion. I loved him all my life. I don’t want
to sound pretentious, but I am his favourite singer and he
wants to see me back on the stage singing again!”
Having a strong spiritual outlook has helped Céline
through these most difficult of circumstances.
“Life is not always perfect. You have to deal with it. Whatever
life imposes — sickness, or whatever, you don’t have a
choice. This is life, this is nature. But you do have the choice
on how you’re going to go through this. And if you don’t
have spirituality you’re going to fall apart before things
happen. I am very spiritual. I believe in myself, I believe in
my family, and I’m positive. Through this, you show your
children how to deal with things, and how to be strong.”
Céline transformed from talented teen in the ’80s to international
superstar in the ’90s. Her parents and 13 siblings
had all been musicians, and from the age of 5, Céline was
entertaining those who came to her parents’ small club in
Charlemagne, Québec.
“When there’s music in your life, there is happiness,” says
Céline. “I had one dream. I wanted to be a singer.”
At the age of 12, together with her mother and one of her
brothers, Céline composed a French song and delivered
a demo tape to music manager René Angelil. He went on
to oversee her career and later become her husband of 21
years.
Céline has produced 25 studio albums and received numerous
awards, including five Grammys, 20 Juno Awards,
a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the honour of
receiving the Order of Canada. Céline’s international breakthrough
came when she recorded the title song for the
soundtrack to Disney’s hit movie Beauty and the Beast, and
was followed by numerous hit singles including “The Power
of Love,” “Love Can Move Mountains,” and “My Heart will
Go On” from the Titanic soundtrack.
席 琳 和 她 的 家 人 們 : 丈 夫 René, 大 兒 子
René-Charles, 雙 胞 胎 Nelson 和 Eddy。
Céline surrounded by her family;
husband René, oldest son René-Charles,
and her twins Nelson and Eddy
René continues to be involved in the artistic direction of
the show, but has stepped down as manager to make way
for Aldo Giampaolo, a former head of Cirque du Soleil, to
steer Céline’s career.
René’s ongoing cancer fight has been a strenuous one for
the couple, who share three sons, René-Charles, 14, and
twins Eddy and Nelson, five.
You can feel her strength as she speaks. Growing up, she
may have been the baby of her family, but today she is the
rock — putting aside her own fears and anxieties to step up
for those she loves. It’s not the first time she’s had to carry
on despite adversity. Early in her career, Céline’s niece died
in her arms after a lifelong battle with cystic fibrosis. Since
then, she has made it her personal crusade to raise money
for charities that help underprivileged or sick children.
A staying force in the ever fluctuating world of pop, Céline
continues to evolve — her last album includes fresh material
written by Australian artist Sia, and the duet “Incredible,”
written and recorded with R&B crooner Ne-Yo, who
has created hit singles for Rihanna, Beyonce, and Whitney
Houston.
Throughout her life, Céline has made the decision to stay
away from the party scene.
“I protect myself,” she says. “Show business can be a dangerous
place. Anyone that goes in the jungle can see beauty, but
you can be eaten up by nature as well.”
She’s thankful to have been surrounded her whole career by
professionals that wanted the best for her, and most importantly,
to have the foundation of a big healthy family.
Today Céline finds her greatest joy in her family and acknowledges
that sometimes it takes riding through sickness
or sadness to realize what really matters in life.
Photography by OSA Images
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