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According to two Swiss outlets, Blick and Le Matin, several elements lead to believe that a performance by Céline Dion is planned for the Eurovision Grand Final next week. The appearance has allegedly been agreed on principle, but would only take place if Céline’s health allows it. SRG SSR has not confirmed it yet but has confirmed they would like Céline to perform.
According to Le Matin, Céline Dion is mentionned at least twice in SRG SSR’s internal production notes. Once would be for a tribute during the first semi-final (which is themed around the history of Switzerland at Eurovision), and one during the Grand Final (themed around past Eurovision winners). The mention in the final is associated with a slot of 2m, which is shorter than “Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi”, and generally very short for any sort of interval performance. These may very well be mentions and tributes that do not imply her presence.
Other sources, however, confirm that the production team is in talks with Céline Dion. The EuroTrip Podcast had Yves Schifferle, Head of Show, confirm that the team has been talking with Céline’s team to see whether an appearance from the 1988 winner was possible.
The ESC 2025 Head of Communications, Edi Estermann, confirmed this to another Swiss outlet, Blick.
Céline will of course always be associated with Swiss ESC history and belongs to it.
We very much want her in the show and are in contact with her. But health comes first.
EDI ESTERMANN, HEAD OF COMMUNICATIONS FOR ESC 2025
According to Blick, the appearance is agreed upon, with a potential withdrawal in case Céline’s health makes it too difficult. They claim that a rehearsal has taken place in St-Jakobshalle with an orchestra and a stand-in, in which Céline would arrive on stage on a lift. SRG SSR has not commented upon these claims.
Céline Dion is of course associated with Eurovision through her victory in Dublin, back in 1988. Her song “Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi” won at the very last moment, ending up only one point ahead of Scott Fitzgerald’s “Go”. This was the last Swiss victory until Nemo’s last year, and thus 1989 was the last contest held in Switzerland, in the French-speaking city of Lausanne.
She also appeared in Eurovision 1989 as a guest act, opening the show with a reprise of her winning song, and then the premiere of “Where Does My Heart Beat Now”, her first English song. Recently, she published pictures of her experiences on her Instagram account, fuelling the rumours about a 2025 appearance.
Rumours about a performance have been going on for a long time, and were also fuelled by her appearance at the 2024 Paris Olympics’ Opening Ceremony. This was her first performance after Covid, which had interrupted her ongoing tour at the time. After that cancellation, she was diagnosed with stiff-person syndrome, and had been unable to perform for months.
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