Celine Dion was ‘never due to perform’ at Eurovision despite previous claims

Celine Dion was ‘never due to perform at Eurovision’ earlier this year (Picture: EPA)

Celine Dion had never been due to ‘attend, perform, or present’ at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.

In May the 2025 contest took place in Basel, Switzerland, with Austrian entrant JJ being crowned the winner with his song Wasted Love.

In the lead-up to the final, there was mounting speculation that Celine, 57, would take to the stage to mark 37 years since she won Eurovision for the host country in 1988.

After reports that the singer’s private jet had been seen in Basel, a message from her was aired during the first semi-final.

In it she reflected on the contest and how Switzerland ‘has always held a special place in [her] 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,’ she said.

It was previously reported health issues had prevented a planned performance (Picture: Alice Chiche/ AFP)

‘(It) was a life-changing moment for me, and I’m so thankful for everyone who supported me.’

She also went on to share that she wanted ‘nothing more but to be with you’ in Basel.

A special rendition of her song Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi was also performed by previous Eurovision stars, including Silvester Belt and Iolanda.

However, during the final, where it seemed all but confirmed she would make a surprise appearance, the same video message was played again, leading many to speculate she’d been unable to perform last minute.

Earlier this month it was reported that Celine had been due to step up on stage, but ongoing health issues stood in her way.

However, her representatives have now shut down these claims.

A video message she sent was played twice during the event (Picture: BBC)

A statement explained: ‘We would like to address the false reporting regarding Celine Dion and the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest earlier this year.

‘Celine was not in Basel, nor did she ever plan to attend, perform, or present at the event. Furthermore, contrary to certain claims, she does not own a private plane.

‘Recent published stories are entirely false and potentially damaging since they suggest that she accepted the organisers’ invitation to attend in person and that her subsequent nonattendance resulted from ill health. This is completely untrue.’

They added: ‘What is accurate is that Celine was invited to record a brief video greeting for the occasion, which she was happy to provide.

They also urged media outlets to uphold journalistic integrity and avoid publishing innacuracies

A few weeks ago French news site Le Parisien, reported it saw a preview of a new documentary celebrating the 30th anniversary of her album D’eux, in which it claimed Celine said she was supposed to sing her winning Eurovision song, Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi, and that an excerpt was even played in rehearsals.

Celine has been struggling with health issues since being diagnosed with stiff person syndrome in 2022 (Picture: Cindy Ord/ Getty Images)

However, it reported that when she arrived at the venue – St. Jakobshalle Stadium – she suffered a seizure, then immediately leaving the venue and flying back to Las Vegas.

Her appearance had been heavily teased by Eurovision organisers, with head of communications Edi Estermann saying a week before the contest: ‘Céline will, of course, always be connected to Swiss Eurovision history and is a part of it.

‘We would love to have her on the show and are in contact with her. But her health comes first. It’s still open for us.’

Celine has been facing significant health issues since being diagnosed with stiff-person syndrome, a neurological condition affecting her muscles, since 2022.

Soon after she was forced to cancel her Courage World Tour and only returned to the stage last year when appearing at the Olympics Opening Ceremony in Paris.

Last year, Celine detailed the symptoms she faced living with SPS in documentary, I Am: Celine Dion.

What is stiff-person syndrome?

Stiff-person syndrome (SPS) is a rare autoimmune movement disorder that affects the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord).

SPS is characterised by fluctuating muscle rigidity in the trunk and limbs and a heightened sensitivity to stimuli such as noise, touch, and emotional distress, which can set off muscle spasms. Stiff-person syndrome is extremely rare.

Only about one out of every one million people have been diagnosed with this syndrome. Twice as many women have stiff person syndrome as men. Symptoms can occur at any age but usually develop between ages 30 and 60.

She spoke about once having muscle spasms that were so strong they broke her ribs and that living with the condition was ‘like somebody’s strangling you’.

‘It feels like if I point my feet, it will stay in (that position), or if I cook—because I love to cook—my fingers, my hands will get in position.

‘It’s cramping, but it’s like in a position [where] you cannot unlock them.’

‘Sometimes when it’s very severe, it can break some ribs.’

Despite Celine’s recent health issues, it was recently reported that she was recovering.

‘She’s doing great, her health is on track and she’s hitting the high notes again,’ a source told RadarOnline.

Austrian singer JJ won this year’s contest with his song Wasted Love (Picture: Fabrice Coffrini/ AFP)

‘She’s gently rehearsing at home and continuing with her physical therapy to treat her SPS. She’s moving around pretty good, and her voice sounds wonderful, thanks to all the vocal exercises she’s been doing.

‘People can’t believe she’s doing so well so soon. Of course, she still has her bad days, but she’s getting stronger.’

They added that Celine had a ‘dream’ to be back on-stage next year and was ‘working hard to achieve it’.

‘She’s doing what she needs to speed up her comeback.’

A version of this article was originally published on September 3, 2025.

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