A real community of Céline Dion admirers has formed in France. Beyond his music, the Quebec star fascinates France for various reasons.
“Céline Dion is an icon of the French-speaking world. There are no French singers who enjoy such an international reputation. Many French celebrities have died in recent years and others are beginning to age, such as Depardieu and Alain Delon. Céline, who speaks our language, fuels the scandalous headlines in the press,” explains French journalist and presenter Thomas Schnell.
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If the French have a predominantly positive opinion of Celine Dion, that doesn’t stop them from liking gossip and wanting to know more about her personal life. This is even more true since the singer had to cancel her concerts and then her world tour, thereby making her health problems public (the singer suffers from Stiff Man Syndrome, a rare neurological disease).
“All these cancellations have only aroused the curiosity of the French. It’s unhealthy, but it sells magazines,” the journalist added.
As an example, he cites the famous photo published in Paris Match magazine showing Céline Dion with gray hair growing back. Entitled These Creepy Photos. Céline Dion, the worrying photo, caused an outcry in France – and even Quebec – in January 2022.
The craziest rumors about Céline Dion that the journalist has read or heard in France? Firstly, her death (the news spread on Twitter more than once), the fact that she is in a hidden relationship or even that she has been in love with women since the death of her husband René.
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Sells well in France
If Céline Dion “sells well” in France, it is thanks to her aura and the affection that the French have developed towards her. Because gossip magazines are also very good at attracting their readers with exaggerated headlines.
“It has been part of our cultural landscape for years. We know his sincerity well. The film “Aline” was a hit in France because we love Céline, her life, her career and her husband as if she were a member of the family. She is an icon that we carry in our hearts, which makes us read gossip about her.”
However, Thomas Schnell emphasizes that French laws on invasion of privacy are quite strict and often bias in favor of the actors in criminal prosecutions or legal proceedings.