March 5, 2008 - Dubai, UAE (Four Seasons Golf Club)

[nano]

More pics :

http://www.gulfnews.com/images/08/03/03/04_ae_celine_dion06_5.jpg

this one is stunning.

[Teodora]

She looks amazing! Love the dress!

[mirage]

http://www.gulfnews.com/images/08/03/03/04_ae_celine_dion07_5.jpg

 

i love that picture... it isnt that HQ and the colours, her pose LOVE it

[Bellamy]

Beautiful. She looks like a Greece goddess.

[whispers4ever]

The Press Conference In InterContinental Dubai Festival City

 

Celine Dion holds the Middle East close in her heart ......

 

Celine Dion says she cannot wait to take to the stage ahead of her debut performance in Dubai.

 

All set to perform on Wednesday (March 5), in front of more than 12,000 fans,

Celine Dion said she holds the Middle East close in her heart as her beloved husband is from the region.

 

It really is quite extraordinary to be here. After five years in Vegas I am enjoying being on tour again - it feels fresh and exciting which is wonderful,

Celine Dion said

"Vegas was great and it came at a perfect time because it gave me and family stability. It was a wonderful opportunity both as an artist and mother. I performed every night with an amazing cast of dancers and the show was very theatrical which was a particular challenge.

"But after five years of my fans coming to me I am so pleased to be back, making the effort to repay the favour and come to them."

 

Speaking about being on the road again ,

Celine Dion Said : "The new album has been a real eye-opener for many reasons. Firstly, because it is quite a different sound for me as it's much more edgy. It has an almost rock feel to some of the songs but of course the ballads are still there - I couldn't survive without the ballads!

"But secondly and maybe more importantly because it has put me back in touch with showbiz. I think my time in Vegas allowed me to become detached from the industry which was great for many reasons including the fact I could bring up my son and spend time with my family. But at the same time I have to find myself within the show biz once again.

"I am still trying to find my rhythm after coming back but feel I have learnt some lessons. I am taking my first experience of touring and mixing it perfectly with the way I lived in Vegas by travelling with my mother, who is 80, my wonderful husband, son, and two of my sisters. "My plan now is to see the world with the people I love and enjoy my music."

 

Dressed in an elegant, beige-coloured dress, Celine looked like she could talk for hours about the immense love and respect she has for her family and what she does with all her amazingly beautiful on and off-stage outfits.

"The easy answer is I have eight sisters! They love me!,

Celine Dion Said :

The Middle East is a very special place for me and Rene as his roots are in Lebanon. His parents were born in the Middle East and to share a part of him and his background is an honour for me. When you marry someone you share their dreams as well as their past and present so Lebanon is certainly somewhere I would love to play a concert - for me and my husband."

And clearly happy to be in the UAE, she added: "We are ready to see Dubai. All of us have heard such wonderful things about the city and when we landed it was dark and quite foggy. My son tried desperately to search for the hotel in the middle of the ocean and I told him that mother nature had asked us to wait until tomorrow! We do plan to see the sights during our three-day stay and wish we could stay longer."

 

So what can concert-goers expect from the diva in Dubai?

Celine Dion said :

"Just expect a great deal of fun. The new tour show is very modern and has some great dancers. I will sing songs from the new album, Taking Chances, and of course the ones which made me who I am today.

"I am enjoying my music more than ever before at the moment. I think in the early years I had something to prove and that brought a lot of pressure but now I feel much more grounded and confident in myself and am just enjoying the music."

 

Finally,Celine Dion spoke about her ability to stay grounded all these years. When asked about the likes of Amy Winehouse and Britney ,

Celine Dion said :

I don't really feel I can comment on their lives but I can say that these artists make me realise how fortunate I am. I have the essentials - the family, the grounding, the right support network and an attitude which allows me to take criticism. In this industry it's too easy to believe talent is enough - because it's not. My family is my true inspiration because they are the only people who matter ......

 

http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/3687/duuq9.jpg

 

[whispers4ever]

The Silver Ticket

 

http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/2585/minephpsb7.jpg

 

[tcherno]

thanks for the pics and interview.

question! is rene origins from Lebanon or Syria? cause i read somewhere that his father was syrian.

 

i wish i could go to that concert. unfortunately, i cant. maybe next time.

anyway, to all forum members that will attend the event, enjoy it

[Costa Santos]

The Press Conference In InterContinental Dubai Festival City

 

Celine Dion holds the Middle East close in her heart ......

 

Celine Dion says she cannot wait to take to the stage ahead of her debut performance in Dubai.

 

All set to perform on Wednesday (March 5), in front of more than 12,000 fans,

Celine Dion said she holds the Middle East close in her heart as her beloved husband is from the region.

 

It really is quite extraordinary to be here. After five years in Vegas I am enjoying being on tour again - it feels fresh and exciting which is wonderful,

Celine Dion said

"Vegas was great and it came at a perfect time because it gave me and family stability. It was a wonderful opportunity both as an artist and mother. I performed every night with an amazing cast of dancers and the show was very theatrical which was a particular challenge.

"But after five years of my fans coming to me I am so pleased to be back, making the effort to repay the favour and come to them."

 

Speaking about being on the road again ,

Celine Dion Said : "The new album has been a real eye-opener for many reasons. Firstly, because it is quite a different sound for me as it's much more edgy. It has an almost rock feel to some of the songs but of course the ballads are still there - I couldn't survive without the ballads!

"But secondly and maybe more importantly because it has put me back in touch with showbiz. I think my time in Vegas allowed me to become detached from the industry which was great for many reasons including the fact I could bring up my son and spend time with my family. But at the same time I have to find myself within the show biz once again.

"I am still trying to find my rhythm after coming back but feel I have learnt some lessons. I am taking my first experience of touring and mixing it perfectly with the way I lived in Vegas by travelling with my mother, who is 80, my wonderful husband, son, and two of my sisters. "My plan now is to see the world with the people I love and enjoy my music."

 

Dressed in an elegant, beige-coloured dress, Celine looked like she could talk for hours about the immense love and respect she has for her family and what she does with all her amazingly beautiful on and off-stage outfits.

"The easy answer is I have eight sisters! They love me!,

Celine Dion Said :

The Middle East is a very special place for me and Rene as his roots are in Lebanon. His parents were born in the Middle East and to share a part of him and his background is an honour for me. When you marry someone you share their dreams as well as their past and present so Lebanon is certainly somewhere I would love to play a concert - for me and my husband."

And clearly happy to be in the UAE, she added: "We are ready to see Dubai. All of us have heard such wonderful things about the city and when we landed it was dark and quite foggy. My son tried desperately to search for the hotel in the middle of the ocean and I told him that mother nature had asked us to wait until tomorrow! We do plan to see the sights during our three-day stay and wish we could stay longer."

 

So what can concert-goers expect from the diva in Dubai?

Celine Dion said :

"Just expect a great deal of fun. The new tour show is very modern and has some great dancers. I will sing songs from the new album, Taking Chances, and of course the ones which made me who I am today.

"I am enjoying my music more than ever before at the moment. I think in the early years I had something to prove and that brought a lot of pressure but now I feel much more grounded and confident in myself and am just enjoying the music."

 

Finally,Celine Dion spoke about her ability to stay grounded all these years. When asked about the likes of Amy Winehouse and Britney ,

Celine Dion said :

I don't really feel I can comment on their lives but I can say that these artists make me realise how fortunate I am. I have the essentials - the family, the grounding, the right support network and an attitude which allows me to take criticism. In this industry it's too easy to believe talent is enough - because it's not. My family is my true inspiration because they are the only people who matter ......

 

http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/3687/duuq9.jpg

 

... GREAT INTERVIEW... Thank you for posting...

[whispers4ever]

question! is rene origins from Lebanon or Syria? cause i read somewhere that his father was syrian.

 

His ancestry is Syrian

[Koolan]

What a gorgeous dress, very elegant. I love it.

 

 

She recycled the heels from the radio station appearance in Cape Town.

[Krys]

"recycled" just downgraded Celine the heels made a reappearance sounds better she looks hot as always

[zmilez]

"recycled" just downgraded Celine the heels made a reappearance sounds better she looks hot as always

 

true..truee.can't agree more...

oh my, she looks reaaaaaaaly gorgeous...

[JP]

Wow, her dress is wonderfuld!!

[scorp82]

question! is rene origins from Lebanon or Syria? cause i read somewhere that his father was syrian.

 

His ancestry is Syrian

 

 

I guess this is an interesting topic... According to the interview with Celine in Dubai, which is posted in this thread, Celine says that Rene's parents are from Lebanon. Originally, I had heard that Rene's ancestry was Syrian. Then, I read another source that Rene had Lebanese and Syrian roots.

 

Now, for a little bit of history... According to Wikipedia, Lebanon was part of the Ottoman Empire for 400 years. During that time, Lebanon was in an area known as Greater Syria. In 1918, those areas became known as the French Mandate of Syria. In September 1920, France formed the State of Greater Lebanon. Although Lebanon has had significant Muslim populations, Lebanon was a largely Christian enclave within Syria. In September 1926, France formed the Lebanese Republic. Lebanon was given its independence in 1943. Though Syria proclaimed its independence in 1941, it was not proclaimed and recognized as such until 1944.

 

So perhaps this information gives us more of an insight as far as Lebanon and Syria is concerned.

 

Given that Rene was born in 1942 in Canada to Middle Eastern parents, I suppose it is possible that his parents were Lebanese but at that time Lebanon was an enclave within Syria. Celine did say in the interview that Rene's parents were from Lebanon.

[nano]

thanks for the interview

[Thomas]

Wow, she looks so pretty! I'll post HQ pics tonight. I didn't log on last night and I feel like I'm miles behind on all the news, everything is moving so fast in the Celine world!

[VinnyT.]

I've watched the NEWS on Dubai TV today but not celine i'll watch it also later

[Terre]

Thanks for the pics and the interview! Céline looks lovely!

[ahmed]

wow everybody is talking about celine here

they talk about the cbs special and the show of DUBAI,my teacher asked us today:who watched celine dion special last night?he was very surprised about the first short dress haha and told him that she will do a show in Dubai and then he said "i know and i wish i can go"

 

and TOday the most famous arabic news websites and newspapers talks about the press conference

 

http://www.alseyassah.com/news_details.asp...A9&nid=6876

http://www.alkhaleej.ae/articles/show_article.cfm?val=487636

[Nando Férri]

She looks so damm great! Please, don't change anything. hehee

[Filine]

She looks absolutely GORGEOUS Edited March 4, 2008 at 05:14 PM by Filine

[anna]

wow everybody is talking about celine here

they talk about the cbs special and the show of DUBAI,my teacher asked us today:who watched celine dion special last night?he was very surprised about the first short dress haha and told him that she will do a show in Dubai and then he said "i know and i wish i can go"

 

and TOday the most famous arabic news websites and newspapers talks about the press conference

 

http://www.alseyassah.com/news_details.asp...A9&nid=6876

http://www.alkhaleej.ae/articles/show_article.cfm?val=487636

 

 

good more publicity for her

she's on fiya

[Thomas]

HQ pics:

 

http://img169.imagevenue.com/loc1095/th_52276_Nic242843_122_1095lo.jpg

 

http://img106.imagevenue.com/loc620/th_52257_Nic242816_122_620lo.jpg

 

http://img224.imagevenue.com/loc93/th_52262_Nic242817_122_93lo.jpg

 

http://img202.imagevenue.com/loc600/th_52263_Nic242824_122_600lo.jpg

 

http://img215.imagevenue.com/loc122/th_52265_Nic242826_122_122lo.jpg

 

http://img225.imagevenue.com/loc215/th_52269_Nic242829_122_215lo.jpg

 

[dj4celine]

Wow! She looks beautiful

[fab]

HQ pics:

 

http://img169.imagevenue.com/loc1095/th_52276_Nic242843_122_1095lo.jpg

 

http://img106.imagevenue.com/loc620/th_52257_Nic242816_122_620lo.jpg

 

http://img224.imagevenue.com/loc93/th_52262_Nic242817_122_93lo.jpg

 

http://img202.imagevenue.com/loc600/th_52263_Nic242824_122_600lo.jpg

 

http://img215.imagevenue.com/loc122/th_52265_Nic242826_122_122lo.jpg

 

http://img225.imagevenue.com/loc215/th_52269_Nic242829_122_215lo.jpg

 

 

Thank you so much she's really beautiful thank you for your work

[maxceline]

thanks thomas... in the 3rd one the make up's so unnatural on her skin...the lipstick too, violet.. i dont like at all...

[Bruno Dion]

thank´s for photos and info.....

[Celinenvegas]

Thanks everyone for all the pics and interviews. She does look amazing, I thought she was doing 2 shows there - one on the 3rd and one on the 5th. So she's in Dubai for just ONE show? It seems like so much work to go there & to set up that stage and take it down for just one show. I just wonder how cost effective this tour will be with mostly all one nighters all over the place. I'm loving all the press she's getting and will continue to get in each country & city she visits. I'm really hoping this will push album sales a great deal.

[Jessyka]

WOW! She looks gorgeous! Thanks for the pictures!

[Nikosn17]

GORGEOUS PICS!