Celine Dion Receives An Emotional Farewell From Hotel Staff And Fans

While the year started out on a devastating note for singer Celine Dion with her husband Rene Angelil dying of throat cancer on January 13, and her brother Daniel passing away a short time later, Ms. Dion has picked herself up and kept busy.

Now, many months later, Celine proves to still be one of the most lively and likable entertainers out there with fans following her, wherever she may go. The singer, widely known for “My Heart Will Go On” on the Titanic soundtrack, was recently enveloped by fans, as she checked out of a Paris hotel and, while the fans adored her and were happy for even a brief glimpse, the hotel staff was deeply saddened by Dion’s departure.

Celine Dion Receives A Grand Sendoff, As She Checks Out Of A Paris Hotel

If Celine Dion expected to check out and depart the Royal Monceau Palace Hotel quietly, she was bound to be disappointed. Even the staff couldn’t bear to let Ms. Dion go without expressing their love for her and their sadness at seeing her go by spelling out the word “merci” in silver balloons and adding hundreds of pink and white balloons to accent the warm message, according to the Daily Mail. The balloons did the trick. Celine was put in a loving mood, as she stepped outside to greet the mob of fans eager to connect with the world renowned singer.

Ms. Dion remained composed, as the mob pleaded for autographs and snapped pictures of her with cameras and mobile phones. Even as Celine climbed into a black cab outside the hotel, she continued to sign autographs for her fans, standing up through the sunroof, so she could be seen and offered items to be signed. Dressed in a burnt orange summer dress and burgundy sunglasses, Ms. Dion was relaxed and in her element, as she greeted and posed with fans.

Following Her Losses, Celine Dion Says “The Show Must Go On”

In May, Celine’s appearance at the 2016 Billboard Awards marked her return to the limelight, as she announced that she wanted to prove to her children that the family’s recent losses hadn’t diminished her strength. She cited her late husband’s belief that the show must always go on in announcing her plans to get back to work. Now, just a couple of months later, Ms. Dion told Entertainment Tonight that she is already hard at work on a new English album. Celine couldn’t be compelled to spill any details, but she did offer one teaser. One of the tracks on the new album was written in honor of Rene.

“Pink wrote me a song,” said Ms. Dion. “She is phenomenal. I love her for her talent, for her strength, for her focus, the person she is.”

Celine recalls approaching Pink to show her gratitude for thinking of her in her time of sorrow and for taking the time to create the song, which is entitled “Recovery”.

“At the [Billboard Music Awards] when I saw her, I said, ‘For you to take the time to really write a song, to give me a tool, a piece of luggage to help me to move forward to walk to keep going…”

Celine isn’t just moved by the kindness of her contemporaries. Ms. Dion also expressed appreciation of her fans, who have been supportive of her through the good times and the bad times. She says others have criticized her for being to open with her fans, but, after mourning two losses and feeling the love and compassion of her fans, Celine says she’s happy she’s been so frank with her followers.

“They are so considerate for my happiness and my sadness, my good and bad moments, and they are [always] supporting me,” Ms. Dion says. “The fans are supporting not only my music, but who I am. I’ve been criticized for being an open book for so long, but it’s paying off today because they know me well.”

[Image by David Becker/Getty Images]