Céline Dion is putting to rest rumors about whether she was ever officially booked to perform at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.
Now best known for hits like My Heart Is So and It All Comes Back to Me Now, many music fans’ first introduction to Céline will have been in 1988, when she won Eurovision on behalf of Switzerland with the song Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi.
Earlier this year, Eurovision returned to Switzerland on the back of Nemo’s 2024 victory, which led many fans to speculate whether she might appear or even perform, especially after her show-stopping number at the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics.
While Eurovision took place several months ago, reports of Céline’s involvement have appeared in the press in recent weeks which her team has now labeled ” completely false and potentially harmful”.
A spokesperson told the PA news agency (via The Independent ): “We would like to address false reports about Céline Dion and the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest earlier this year.
“Céline was not at the base [in May], nor did she ever plan to attend, speak or present at the event. Furthermore, contrary to some claims, she does not own a private jet.
“The recently published stories are completely false and potentially harmful because they suggest that she accepted the organizers’ invitation to attend in person and that her subsequent non-attendance was due to ill health. This is completely false.”
The statement continued: “It is true that Céline was invited to record a short video greeting for the occasion, which she gladly provided.
“In an era where sensational headlines are often a priority, we urge the media to maintain journalistic integrity and even minimal fact-checking before publishing such inaccuracies.”
As her representative pointed out, the Grammy winner filmed a pre-recorded video message for this year’s Eurovision, which played during the first semi-final.
Céline said in the clip: “Dear Eurovision family and contestants, I would love nothing more than to be with you in Basel right now.
“Switzerland will forever hold a special place in my heart. It is a country that believed in me and gave me the opportunity to be a part of something so extraordinary.”
“Winning the Eurovision Song Contest for Switzerland in 1988 was a life-changing moment for me and I am so grateful to everyone who supported me. Now, 37 years later—I know!—it is so beautiful and emotional to see Switzerland win and host this incredible event again. I hope that the Swiss people, like me,
Speaking in French, she concluded: “Music unites us not only tonight, not only in this wonderful moment. Music is our strength, our support and our companion in a moment when we need it. Europe and the rest of the world, of course – I hug you. I love you.”
There was also a tribute to Céline performed by four of last year’s contestants during the semi-finals.
For the past few years, Céline has taken a step back from the spotlight after being diagnosed with rigid personality syndrome.
Last year, she spoke about her experience living with the rare neurological condition in a candid documentary, I Am: Céline Dion, which preceded her triumphant performance at the Paris Olympics.
