Top 10 Moments That Made Us Love Celine Dion
#10: Reviewing Her Own Fashion
Celine Dion is as magical in front of the camera as she is in front of the microphone. You could set her up in a chair and just let her talk, and it’d be nothing but gold. When she sat down with “Access Hollywood” to review photos of her previous outfits, she was as candid and lovable as ever. She had no problem being honest about these looks. From the iconic to the outdated, she shared her raw and uncensored thoughts on all her fashion hits and misses. Who didn’t guffaw when she compared the sculpted sleeves of one epic gown to two airbags?
#9: Appearing on “The Jonathan Ross Show”
In 2013, the “My Heart Will Go On” singer made a memorable appearance on Jonathan Ross’ long-running late night show. Naturally, her talents were on full display. She even tried to lead Ross through one of her vocal warmups, which turned out to be expert level difficult. Of course, it’s always great to see her talk at length. Dion discussed her life and music, as well as her early career, including her “Eurovision Song Contest” win. The conversation also inevitably got silly, with a hilarious metaphor about produce leading to an impromptu song about bananas, of all things. In other words, the interview had pretty much everything.
#8: “It's All Coming Back to Me Now” Music Video
With its billowing curtains, phantoms, and gothic extravagance, the music video for “It’s All Coming Back to Me Now” is a magnetic seven-plus-minute masterclass in camp. Haunted by her motorcycle-riding boyfriend, Dion spends the entire thing living out our gothic heroine fantasies. She runs through the halls of a mansion, overcome by memories of her lost love. Of course, Dion plays every frame of it with aching earnestness. That’s what makes it unforgettable. Those drifting shots of the star singing, framed against candlelights and lightning flashes, are peak melodrama. Every frame of it should be studied in film schools.
#7: Covering Modern Songs
Celine Dion and rap songs are two things you wouldn’t think to connect. But on this 2016 segment from “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” the host tasked the singer with expanding her repertoire to include some more modern hits. Reinterpreting the tracks as piano ballads, Celine notably tore her way through hit songs by Nelly, LMFAO, and even Missy Elliott. Of course, she put her own spin on each one. Supplying her own alternative lyrics to a Britney Spears song and launching into an improvised scat on “Work It” had us thinking she definitely should have covered these.
#6: “All by Myself” Key Change
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She may not have been the first to record it, but it’s hard to argue with the fact that she now owns it. Unsurprisingly, Dion’s 1996 cover of Eric Carmen’s “All By Myself” was a smash hit on many music charts. The entire song is a great listen, but that high note before the key change is earth shatteringly good. Actually, Dion had no idea the note was in the song until producer David Foster let her know about it in the studio. They both admitted later that he challenged her, and she clearly said “challenge accepted.” The rest is pop history.
#5: Loving Gaga
Lady Gaga’s “Enigma” residency at the Park Theater in Vegas attracted thousands of fans. In 2018, one of those fans was Celine Dion. Several eagle-eyed concertgoers snapped a series of incredible candid videos of Dion as she slayed the “Bad Romance” choreography and slow-danced to “Million Reasons.” But it didn’t stop there. For practically the entire show, Dion was performing like it was her on that stage. During “You and I,” she was working that crowd and shredding on the air guitar like she was on Gaga’s payroll. Gaga even shouted her out during the show. It was clear the love, admiration, and respect in that room was mutual.
#4: “Ashes” Music Video
The overarching ironic sense of humor in “Deadpool 2” bled over into its soundtrack. Celine Dion’s addition, “Ashes,” was meant to be as convincing a power ballad as it was a parody of such film tunes, including an epic one that she may have recorded for a certain disaster movie. Its video is a perfect combination of those competing modes. As Dion gives it her all for the camera, a dancer in uniform as Deadpool does this beautiful and ridiculous interpretive dance around her. Still, she plays it straight. After all, Celine Dion doesn’t phone it in. She’s always at an eleven.
#3: “Carpool Karaoke”
The voice, the goofiness, the charm – it’s all on display in this roughly 14 minute slice of pop culture excellence. Seriously, the singer out-“Carpool Karaoke[d]” James Corden on his own segment. Dion started off ready to sing her heart out, answering the host’s questions and comments with song lyrics. She’s a fireball throughout, giving us comedy and drama and everything in between. Highlights include her giving away her shoes to strangers on the street and doing some of the best face acting since Jim Carrey. But the grand finale, where they brought “Titanic” to life, cemented her as one of the best “Carpool Karaoke” guests ever.
#2: “Wheel of Musical Impressions”
A different late night appearance, this time with Jimmy Fallon, gave us all yet another glimpse of the goofball behind that incredible voice. Dion’s turn at an audience favorite “Tonight Show” segment showcases her underrated talent for impersonations and physical comedy. Indeed, it’s pure, unfiltered joy hearing her try to imitate Cher’s deep sound or Rihanna’s instantly recognizable vocal style. Honestly, her work here probably warrants a new Emmy category all on its own. When the spirit of Rihanna takes over her body, though, Fallon has to step in. It’s a family show, after all.
#1: “My Heart Will Go On”
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Look, it’s hard to avoid, and why would you want to? Celine Dion gave voice to the iconic, Oscar-winning love theme from “Titanic.” “My Heart Will Go On” is a powerhouse ballad and her performance is a barn burner. Sweeping in scope, emotion, and in the singer’s vocal ability, it was made instantly timeless, and still feels epic over 25 years later. Whether she’s gargling it or singing it at full power, it’s become her signature song. Although she didn’t connect with the number at first, Dion’s late husband and longtime manager René Angélil, convinced her it was a once in a lifetime opportunity. He was right. “My Heart Will Go On” quickly shot to the top of the charts and won almost every award it was nominated for. What’s your favorite Celine moment? Tell us in the comments.
