Celine Dion made a surprise appearance at the 2024 National Hockey League Draft amid her battle with stiff-person syndrome.
On Friday night, the 56-year-old Canadian singer took to the stage at the Sphere in Las Vegas to announce that he had been selected by the Montreal Canadiens with the fifth overall pick in the NHL Draft.
“We are excited to invite our number one fan, the one and only Celine Dion, to join us on stage for our first selection of 2024,” Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes announced to cheers from the crowd in a video shared by the NHL on YouTube.
The “My Heart Will Go On” songstress was seen smiling as she walked down the tunnel holding hands with her son, Rene-Charles Angélil, 23, wearing a white button-down shirt and a belted cream-colored skirt.
“Good evening everyone. I’m excited to be a hockey mom,” Dion told the crowd with a laugh. “With the fifth overall selection in the 2024 NHL Draft, the Montreal Canadiens are proud to select Ivan Demidov.”
Celine Dion made a surprise appearance at the 2024 NHL Draft. (Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images)
“This is the most dramatic cancellation announcement in history,” an ESPN analyst said after Dion announced his nomination.
Celine Dion says stiff person syndrome makes her feel like “someone is choking me” when she sings
Demidov, a Russian-born performer, took to the stage, shook hands with Dion and René-Charles and posed for a group photo.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Demidoff said at a press conference afterwards that hearing Dion call his name was “unbelievable” and “like something out of a movie.”
When asked if he knew the music star, he replied, “I’ve seen Titanic.”
Dion was selected fifth overall by the Montreal Canadiens in the first round of the NHL Draft. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Dion revealed that Ivan Demidov has been selected by the Montreal Canadiens. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Dion shared a slideshow of photos from the event on Instagram on Saturday, including a snapshot of herself sitting with René-Charles and their 13-year-old twin sons, Nelson and Eddie.
Did you enjoy reading this? For more entertainment news click here
“I am very happy to announce that I have been selected by the Montreal Canadiens in the first round of the 2024 NHL Draft!,” she wrote in her native French in the caption. “Congratulations to Ivan Demidov! Thank you to the Canadiens for having me and to the NHL for treating my family so well. It’s been a lot of fun! – Celine xx”
Dion has barely made any public appearances since revealing in December 2022 that she had been diagnosed with stiff-person syndrome, a rare neurological disorder that can cause muscle spasms and movement disorders.
The singer’s three sons were also present at the event. (Celine Dion Instagram)
In October 2023, Dion made his first public appearance since announcing his diagnosis, attending a Canadiens game in Las Vegas with his three sons. The family traveled to Las Vegas in February to attend another hockey game playing another Canadian team, the Edmonton Oilers.
Click here to sign up for our Entertainment Newsletter
That month, Dion was back in the spotlight at the 2024 Grammy Awards, taking the stage for the first time since taking a hiatus from performing in 2020. She appeared as the final presenter of the night, announcing Taylor Swift’s win for Album of the Year.
“Thank you all. I love you all,” she told the crowd as she received a standing ovation.
Dion has rarely been seen in public as she focuses on managing her health amid her battle with stiff-person syndrome. (Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images)
On June 17, Dion was escorted by René Charles as she attended the red carpet premiere of her Amazon Prime Video documentary, “I Am: Celine Dion,” in New York City.
Dion appeared emotional during the screening as she thanked her fans for the support they’ve shown her during her struggles with health issues.
Click here to get the FOX News app
“I’m so grateful from the bottom of my heart to all of you who have been a part of my journey,” the singer told E! News. “This film is a love letter to each and every one of you. I hope to see you all again soon.”
