Celine Dion has had a traumatic 2016 so far, with the death of her husband, Rene Angelil, on January 14 and her brother, Daniel, two days later.
But the superstar showed why she is the best at what she does when she made a triumphant appearance at the Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas.
She delivered a powerful, tear-jerking performance of Queen’s hit The Show Must Go On, which was first released by the band in 1991 to celebrate frontman Freddie Mercury, who was dying of complications related to HIV/Aids.
Backed by an orchestra, Celine proved she still has what it takes to reduce an audience to tears.
Later her son Rene-Charles surprised her to present her with the Icon Award, just months after he moved the world when he gave a eulogy at his father’s funeral.
In her speech, the singer thanked her fans, her team, her label, and lastly, Rene, her husband of more than 20 years.
“My beloved husband whom I know will continue to watch over me from up above,” she said.
She ended her speech holding hands with her son and thrusting her award in the air, saying: “Rene, this one is for you, the show must go on.”
Afterwards, she told Entertainment Tonight she just “collapsed” after the performance after trying to stay strong in front of her son.
She said: “I’m not the first wife or mother to lose her husband, and I won’t be the last. It’s hard but my family is helping me through it.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article