Céline Dion made a surprise appearance at the 2024 National Hockey League Draft amid her battle with stiff person syndrome.
On Friday night time, the 56-year-old Canadian singer took the stage at the Sphere in Las Vegas to announce the Montreal Canadiens’ choice with the NHL draft’s fifth total decide.
“To make our 2024 first selection, I’m pleased to invite onstage our No. 1 fan, the one and only, Céline Dion,” Canadiens General Manager Kent Hughes introduced as the gang cheered in a clip shared by the NHL on YouTube.
The “My Heart Will Go On” songstress, who donned a white button-down shirt and a belted cream-colored skirt, was then seen beaming as she walked hand in hand with her son, René-Charles Angélil, 23, by a tunnel.
“Good evening, everyone. I’m excited — not even a hockey mom,” Dion advised the viewers with fun. “With the fifth overall selection in the 2024 NHL draft, the Montreal Canadiens are proud to select Ivan Demidov.”
Céline Dion made a surprise appearance at the 2024 NHL Draft. (Dave Sandford/NHLI by way of Getty Images)
“The most dramatic, dropped announcement of all time,” remarked an ESPN analyst after Dion revealed the decide.
After making his solution to the stage, Demidov, a Russian-born participant, shook palms with Dion and René-Charles and posed for group pictures.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Demidov stated later at a press convention that listening to Dion name his title was “unbelievable” and “like a movie.”
“I’ve seen Titanic,” he responded when requested if he was acquainted with the music icon.
Dion introduced the fifth total decide by the Montreal Canadiens through the first spherical of the NHL draft. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Dion revealed that Ivan Demidov was chosen by the Montreal Canadiens. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Dion on Saturday shared a slideshow of pictures from the occasion on Instagram, together with a snapshot of herself sitting with René-Charles and her 13-year-old twin sons, Nelson and Eddy.
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“I was very pleased to announce the selection of the Montreal Canadians for the first round of the 2024 NHL Draft!.” she wrote in her native French within the caption. “Congratulations to Ivan Demidov! Thank you Canadiens for having me, and NHL for taking such good care of my family.. we had a lot of fun! – Celine xx.”
Dion has made few public appearances since revealing in December 2022 that she had been identified with stiff person syndrome, a uncommon neurological dysfunction that may trigger muscle spasms and mobility points.
The singer was joined by her three sons at the occasion. (Céline Dion Instagram)
In October 2023, Dion made her first public outing since saying her analysis when she attended a Canadiens sport in Las Vegas with her three sons. The household stepped out in Vegas for an additional hockey sport, performed by one other Canadian staff, the Edmonton Oilers, in February.
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That month, Dion returned to the spotlight at the 2024 Grammy Awards, taking the stage for the primary time since she stopped performing in 2020. She appeared as the ultimate presenter of the night time, saying Taylor Swift’s win for album of the 12 months.
“Thank you all, I love you right back,” she advised the viewers as she acquired a standing ovation.
Dion has made few public appearances as she has remained targeted on her well being amid her battle with stiff person syndrome. (Dave Sandford/NHLI by way of Getty Images)
On June 17, Dion was escorted by René-Charles when she attended the pink carpet premiere of her Amazon Prime Video documentary “I Am: Celine Dion” in New York City.
During the screening, Dion turned emotional as she expressed her gratitude for her followers’ assist amid her well being struggles.
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“Thank you to all of you, from the underside of my coronary heart, for being a part of my journey,” the singer stated, per E! News. “This movie is my love letter to each of you. I hope to see you all again very, very soon.”