Celine Dion got emotional while introducing the documentary “I Am: Celine Dion” at a screening in New York City on Monday.
The “My Heart Will Go On” singer was greeted with a rapturous standing ovation as she took to the stage at Alice Tully Hall to introduce the upcoming documentary on Prime Video.
After the long applause died down, the Canadian music icon delivered a tearful 10-minute speech, taking pauses to collect his emotions.
“I'm so grateful to have you all here tonight,” Dion told the crowd, “This is by far the largest audience I've had in years.”
“I am incredibly lucky to have my fans in my life. Thank you,” she said, before beginning to cry.
Her eldest son, René-Charles Angélil, then came onstage, handed her tissues and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek.
She continued, “I'm so grateful from the bottom of my heart to all of you who have been a part of my journey. This film is a love letter to each and every one of you. I hope to see you all again soon.”
I Am: Celine Dion documents her struggle with Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS), a rare neurological disorder that causes muscle stiffness and spasms, leaving her unable to perform.
The Think Twice singer announced his SPS diagnosis in December 2022. He took more than a year off, but made a public return at the Grammy Awards in February this year.
At the screening it was announced that the Celine Dion Foundation has donated $2 million (£1.6 million) to establish the Celine Dion Foundation Endowed Chair in Autoimmune Neurology at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, with her neurologist, Dr Amanda Piqué, set to be the chair's first professor.
“I Am: Celine Dion” premieres on Prime Video on Friday.