Celine Dion, 56, set for eye-watering payday with Paris Olympics gig amid stiff-person syndrome battle

Iconic singer Celine Dion is reportedly gearing up for a return to the stage when the Paris Olympic Games launches this week, and it seems she could receive a staggering amount for the performance.

The My Heart Will Go On singer, 56, was forced to stop performing after going public two years ago about her Stiff-Person Syndrome diagnosis, but if rumours are anything to go by, she’ll be making a rare appearance on stage this Friday.

The Canadian singer is reportedly set to be earning an eye-watering $2million to perform a single song at the opening ceremony of the Olympics, which is taking place in the French capital at the end of the week.

TMZ reported: “Our sources say she will be paid handsomely… $2 million! By the way, that’s for just one song.”

The publication went on to detail Dion is thought to be “feeling fine” according to an insider. It comes soon after the I’m Alive hit-maker revealed her devastating diagnosis of the rare neurological disorder.

The condition commonly causes muscle stiffness and painful spasms which can worsen over time.

The resilient performer has previously stated she will make a comeback to the stage “even if she has to crawl”.

The last time Dion performed live was during her Courage world tour in March 2020. Her final show was in New Jersey in the US before the stint was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Variety reported the singer is rumoured to be opening the global games, and if so it will be her first performance since she stepped away from the public eye.

Teasing recently that her comeback would be in Paris, she told Vogue France: “I’ve chosen to work with all my body and soul, from head to toe, with a medical team. I want to be the best I can be. My goal is to see the Eiffel Tower again!”

She continued: “For four years I’ve been saying to myself that I’m not going back, that I’m ready, that I’m not ready… As things stand, I can’t stand here and say to you, ‘Yes, in four months. I don’t know… My body will tell me…'”

The singer’s documentary, I Am: Celine Dion followed the mother-of-three over the course of a year as she demonstrated the impact the condition has on her daily life, and was applauded by critics.

In snaps taken on Tuesday, Dion seemed in good spirits as she arrived at a Paris hotel ahead of the big day wearing an oversized black blazer and black trousers, she smiled for the cameras in the snaps.

Dion hasn’t yet officially confirmed she will be opening the Olympics ceremony, but all signs point towards the rumours being true. However, she’s not the only big name circulating the rumour mill.

Gambling.com’s betting expert for entertainment, James Leyfield, has discussed the big names doing the rounds in Olympic ceremony speculation.

Dua Lipa has also been at the top of the market with the bookies, with pop megastar Lady Gaga ousting both as the odds-on favourite.

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The Poker Face singer was also spotted arriving in Paris recently and is said to be rehearsing for the big moment.

Delving into other potentials, Leyfield explained: “French drummer and composer Marc Cerrone is evens to the opening ceremony, the same price with the bookies as French-Malian singer-songwriter Aya Nakamura is to perform.

“What’s more, like Gaga and Dion, Dua Lipa is odds-on in the market. Fresh from headlining Glastonbury, Lipa looks set to wow the world in Paris, while American singer Ariana Grande is just 2/1.

“She is known to be a fan of France, and even named her pet pooch Toulouse, after the French city – which is also known as The Pink City – and the kitten from Disney’s The Aristocats.

“Other stars expected to be in contention include Rita Ora (3/1), Nicole Scherzinger (4/1), and French singer-songwriter Slimane – who represented the country at this year’s Eurovision, finishing fourth – is 8/1.”

During a brief speech at the documentary screening, Dion told fans in June: “I hope to see you all again very, very soon.”