Celine Dion was never due to perform at the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest in Basel.
Despite earlier reports, a representative for Celine Dion has confirmed that the singer was never scheduled to “attend, perform or present” at this year’s contest in Basel. Original reports suggested that she had travelled to Switzerland to perform her Eurovision 1988 winning song “Ne partez pas sans moi”, but had to leave the country on a private jet due to poor health. This has since been discredited:
“Celine was not in Basel, nor did she ever plan to attend, perform, or present at the event. Furthermore, contrary to certain claims, she does not own a private plane.
What is accurate is that Celine was invited to record a brief video greeting for the occasion, which she was happy to provide.”
Dion was diagnosed with stiff-person syndrome in 2022, a rare neurological disease that causes severe muscle spasms. Since then, she has reduced her public appearances and performances. In 2024, she sang during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris.
Eurovision 2025 was held in Basel after Nemo gave Switzerland their third win the previous year with “The Code”. This was the first contest to be held in Switzerland since 1989. JJ from Austria won the contest with “Wasted Love”. This was Austria’s third overall win.
Image source and source: RTÉ
