Tensions between Vito Luprano and Celine/René

[Zofia]

I love Vito Luprano and always thought they had great respect and energy with each other, unfortunately after this interview, I don't think Céline would want to work with him again or reconnect in any way .... there's truly something odd bout it.

 

That's exactly what I think. On the one hand he seems to be hoping to reconnect with her, on the other he's burning bridges behind him by the aggression of his words. The mere fact that he spoke to Céline at the funeral, telling her, in his own words, "You have to know the truth" (sic) strikes me as odd. The great psychic tension he displays - from bitterness to violence - leaves me a little suspicious.

[CelinesDIVO5]

 

 

I love Vito Luprano and always thought they had great respect and energy with each other, unfortunately after this interview, I don't think Céline would want to work with him again or reconnect in any way .... there's truly something odd bout it.

 

And should SHE be the one to pick up the phone first? If Vito wants to work with her, he should grow a set of balls and call her himself!

[Del]

maybe Vito suggested the new title AND after they lost Muse. I don't think Vito is lying. It seems to me like Vito sincerely holds a grudge against Rene, because Rene took his ideas and made it look like he was the head behind everything. No wonder Vito is now taking the opportunity to talk about it, he wants people to know. I don't believe that he is making this up just to profile himself. Also, I had no idea that they fired him after the album TC. No wonder the concept for WAAF which later became LMBTL was so terrible, it was probably Renes idea. And this is also when we all started complaining about the direction that Celines career is taking, the initial WAAF concept, the boring 2011 Vegas show etc. Let's not forget, Rene was a senior gentlemen and it's no wonder that his ideas were not doing Celines career any good. And he apparently fired people whom he felt threatened by. He wanted to be in charge.

I remember reading in Rene’s biography that he wanted to be in control of everything. That a good manager made all the decisions. So to me some of the things I’ve read over the last few pages makes sense.

[idroveallnight]

I feel like I’m reading secrets from the grave. Quite juicy. But this is the dark side of show business that René tried to shield Celine away from. Yes, things went way downhill after ANDHC but I don’t think René alone is to blame for that. I see all the success that Taylor Swift is having now and I see lots of parallels to Celine’s career but also some missed opportunities related to building her fandom. Seeing stadiums full of Taylor Swift fans singing every lyric by heart and hanging on her every word makes me wonder why Celine never had that as the best selling female artist in the world at one point? We know Celine has a one on one relationship when meeting with us in person but she lost out on developing a truly dedicated following by not leveraging social media to reach the masses, going viral, keeping us excited about projects, etc. We all knew that René’s passing would be one last card for her to have a comeback but unfortunately covid threw a wrench into that. Seems like many have accepted that she lost the love of her life and is doomed to the same fate with the announcement of her illness. If Vito wants to give her a comeback then, by all means, she has nothing to lose.

[stone]

How I Surrender was never ever released as a single but GTSW was chosen instead…. I Surrender would have been a global hit. They went with the wrong direction in terms of singles. Like a mid-tempo track that’s also the title track was just catering to the moms of the world. I don’t dislike the song whatsoever, but it was a snoozefest as a lead single for a “comeback” album.

[Shaun]

To go from GTSW as the last single from ANDHC to IDAN as the first single from OH I think perfectly sums up whatever “strategy” they had with Celine at the time.

[smw]

Celine dominated the 90s with her albums. Then she pivoted to dominating Vegas in the 2000s. I think everything turned out very well for her career overall. She always felt relevant because her shows always sold out. She was the Queen of Vegas, which made up for a somewhat lackluster recording career after 2002.

 

Her English recording career has been wonky for a long time. They clearly didn’t have the same magic touch or vision for her albums after ANDHC. But she always had the concerts to stay on top. And that’s what has kept her fans so endeared to her — her shows.

 

Now that her live performing days are on pause, I’m hoping her music gets rediscovered — maybe the documentary will help. And she needs to broaden her team to be more strategic.

 

Edited September 19, 2023 at 05:31 AM by smw

[jmiracle]

Bad decisions are part of a career. And we are lucky that they mainly are about single choices or lack of promotion. About the things going down since ANDHC, I think René and Celine lost something at that time : their curiosity, they became quite isolated from the music industry, its evolution… in terms of music and of business. Choosing GTSW as a single was a way to kill the album to make a way for OH. But that was such a bad signal. They were disappointed by the sales of ANDHC and decided to switch to something new that was an album to honor a commercial deal with a car brand… I would have gone for a new edition of A New Day Has Come, called A New Day (to fit the show), with 7-8 new tracks like IDAN. And make this album live for at least 2 years and a half. Edited September 19, 2023 at 06:01 AM by jmiracle

[jmiracle]

And most importantly I think there’s one part of the storytelling that we must be aware of. The fact that Celine never cared about business and all that. Celine knows. She always made decisions. René didn’t want her to be associated with that publicly because he thought that it would give her a bad image. But she’s smart, probably not always an angel ahah and I like it. Look, now everybody respects Taylor Swift. It’s just that at Celine’s time, misogyny was even more present and it was safer to make people think that she was just here to sing and listen to her husband. Edited September 19, 2023 at 06:09 AM by jmiracle

[manu23]

I'm sure Vito was good and he helped Celine's career in many ways, but questioning Rene like that when he is not here to tell his side is not nice. Rene was not perfect (who is?) but he was a great manager and had a strong business intuition. It was him who picked BATB over that other random animated movie, it was him who forced Celine to record MHWGO, it was him who planned A New Day show and changed Las Vegas entertainment forever. He surely made mistakes, but to me he was a visionary in many ways. Maybe it was Céline who lacked that business/success drive. Imagine if Celine had Mariah, Beyonce or Madonna's thriving personality. They would have been even a better combo. Edited September 19, 2023 at 12:21 PM by manu23

[smw]

I'm sure Vito was good and he helped Celine's career in many ways, but questioning Rene like that when he is not here to tell his side is not nice. Rene was not perfect (who is?) but he was a great manager and had a strong business intuition. It was him who picked BATB over that other random animated movie, it was him who forced Celine to record MHWGO, it was him who planned A New Day show and changed Las Vegas entertainment forever. He surely made mistakes, but to me he was a visionary in many ways. Maybe it was Céline who lacked that business/success drive. Imagine if Celine had Mariah, Beyonce or Madonna's thriving personality. They would have been even a better combo.

 

Rene and Celine were a great team. The success they achieved in the 90s is insane. As Celine always says, they shared a dream and they reached the mountaintop together. I’m sure other people in their circle also made big contributions. But Rene and Celine were a powerhouse duo. And they continued to be after Celine’s career peak in the 90s by changing Vegas forever. She’s had a dazzling career. Even with a few missteps (which all the big divas have had). And I hope more good stuff is coming our way. She deserves more awards, recognition, and I hope we get more music.

 

Edited September 19, 2023 at 04:26 PM by smw

[smw]

I still think the easiest way for Celine to make a big splash on the music scene again is to release albums that would appeal to the Oprah audience — those people who maybe haven’t kept up with Celine’s new music but loved her back in the day.

 

A Christmas album, duets album, standards album, etc.

 

Her days of doing trendy music are over. I’m glad she got to exercise those muscles but it never worked for the image she and Rene built in the 90s. It just didn’t gel with a lot of listeners/audiences.

 

I’m also glad that Celine got to feel “cool” with her big comeback with fashion. I think she was chasing this in her English music for many years but didn’t get the reception she was longing for. But she got it with fashion.

 

Edited September 19, 2023 at 04:37 PM by smw

[GoldenLeaf]

I still think the easiest way for Celine to make a big splash on the music scene again is to release albums that would appeal to the Oprah audience — those people who maybe haven’t kept up with Celine’s new music but loved her back in the day.

 

A Christmas album, duets album, standards album, etc.

 

Her days of doing trendy music are over. I’m glad she got to exercise those muscles but it never worked for the image she and Rene built in the 90s. It just didn’t gel with a lot of listeners/audiences.

 

I’m also glad that Celine got to feel “cool” with her big comeback with fashion. I think she was chasing this in her English music for many years but didn’t get the reception she was longing for. But she got it with fashion.

Oprah audience ? So basically you mean an album that would appeal to old people who are now in their 70's and probably starting to suffer from alzheimer and dementia ?

Edited September 19, 2023 at 05:31 PM by GoldenLeaf

[smw]

 

Oprah audience ? So basically you mean an album that would appeal to old people who are now in their 70's and probably starting to suffer from alzheimer and dementia ?

 

Hardly… my sister is in her early 40s. I consider her part of that Oprah audience. A lot of that core audience is in their 40s, 50s, and 60s these days.

 

But I’d be thrilled if people in their 70s bought and listened to Celine’s new music. Cher is in her 70s. And there are plenty of vibrant, healthy people at that age.

 

Oprah played a huge role in Celine’s success in the 90s.

 

Edited September 19, 2023 at 05:45 PM by smw

[Frenchie]

I still think the easiest way for Celine to make a big splash on the music scene again is to release albums that would appeal to the Oprah audience — those people who maybe haven’t kept up with Celine’s new music but loved her back in the day.

 

A Christmas album, duets album, standards album, etc.

 

Her days of doing trendy music are over. I’m glad she got to exercise those muscles but it never worked for the image she and Rene built in the 90s. It just didn’t gel with a lot of listeners/audiences.

 

I’m also glad that Celine got to feel “cool” with her big comeback with fashion. I think she was chasing this in her English music for many years but didn’t get the reception she was longing for. But she got it with fashion.

 

I agree! When TC was advertising Courage in summer 2019, I was hoping it would be Celine’s version of “The Broadway Album” that Barbra released in the 80s. In many respects, I see the same overarching evolution of Barbra’s career as I do with Celine’s.

[GoldenLeaf]

 

 

Hardly… my sister is in her early 40s. I consider her part of that Oprah audience. A lot of that core audience is in their 40s, 50s, and 60s these days.

 

But I’d be thrilled if people in their 70s bought and listened to Celine’s new music. Cher is in her 70s. And there are plenty of vibrant, healthy people at that age.

 

Oprah played a huge role in Celine’s success in the 90s.

I see, I'm 35 and doesn't consider myself part of Oprah audience, I was like only 21-22 when the Oprah show got cancelled... still I have been a Celine's fan for nearly 3 decades. I think she should simply release a good pop album that would appeal to a broad audience like A New Day Has Come. A new timeless christmas album could be a good idea at this point of her career and would appeal to people of all generations.

Edited September 19, 2023 at 06:11 PM by GoldenLeaf

[mirage]

And completely ignored Reveal.

 

To go from GTSW as the last single from ANDHC to IDAN as the first single from OH I think perfectly sums up whatever “strategy” they had with Celine at the time.

[mirage]

It was an awesome period after Renee's passing.

 

But like Davey said, talking about a new album and wait a lot of years to finally release it.

 

They could have easily put out an EP or something. Oh well, that ship has sailed.

 

 

 

It was a great idea to have her in NYC in 2016. They made mention of the EUS album and showed the album cover on TV and even Fallon. That was when TSMGO was released as a single actually. I wish she would have performed a song from EUS though. Preferably “Tu sauras”

[ryba]

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I'm also glad that Celine got to feel "cool" with her big comeback with fashion. I think she was chasing this in her English music for many years but didn't get the reception she was longing for. But she got it with fashion.

the main problem here was that she had no new English music in 2016 during the biggest hype she had since the late 90s. This was the year when a new album should have been released Edited September 19, 2023 at 06:26 PM by ryba

[ryba]

And completely ignored Reveal.

and especially Sorry For Love. That song was definite single material.

[Davey84]

the main problem here was that she had no new English music in 2016 during the biggest hype she had since the late 90s. This was the year when a new album should have been released

No new English music? Clearly you forgot Recovering. A heartfelt song about mourning and life written by Pink!! Unfortunatelythe song didn'thave a big impact. The wiki write up makes you do wonder why it went nowhere. Even though Celine sang it a few times on tv. But when you don't have support of the radio, or Spotify playlists, the big audience won't catch on.

 

"Recovering" is a song recorded by Canadian singer Celine Dion and released as a single on 9 September 2016. It was written by Pink after Dion's husband, René Angélil, died in January 2016. Entertainment Tonight Canada chose it as one of the best songs of 2016.

 

On 6 July 2016, Dion revealed that Pink wrote a song for her, in honor of her husband René Angélil, who died of cancer in January 2016.[2][3][4][5][6][7] She also revealed the title of the song, "Recovering".[2][3][4][5][6][7] Dion added that she's already starting to work on an English album.[2][3][4][5][6][7] The song was released as a single on 9 September 2016.[8][9]

 

Dion performed "Recovering" during the Stand Up to Cancer Live Event on 9 September 2016.[8][10] The telecast aired on more than forty television networks and selected online outlets.[10] It was broadcast live from the Music Center's Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles.[10] She also performed it on The Ellen DeGeneres Show on 8 September 2016. The episode aired on 12 September 2016.[8][11] In September 2016, Dion added "Recovering" to the set list of her Las Vegas residency show, Celine. The song was also performed during Dion's 2017 and 2018 tours.

 

 

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[smw]

the main problem here was that she had no new English music in 2016 during the biggest hype she had since the late 90s. This was the year when a new album should have been released

 

That would’ve been great… but it also would’ve been a lot on Celine’s plate considering she lost Rene that same year.

 

I guess she could’ve spent her time off from Vegas recording an album instead of doing all the other stuff she did that year. But I think she wanted to get out into the world.

 

A new greatest hits with some rarities was probably doable at that time — or a Christmas album since she supposedly has several Christmas songs already recorded.

 

And I love Recovering. Recovering and Ashes are my favorite English Celine songs of the past several years.

 

Edited September 19, 2023 at 06:50 PM by smw

[Gicedi]

Sorry, i don't want to be the negative here but i insist (as i did in another topic) whatever they do, i mean about the albums you suggest (that i fully agree, especially for the duet album. right now she can do literaly with whoever she wants) all are pointless to me if it's still with the overedited voice that has nothing to do with Celines voice!

 

They managed to do it even with her 1995 vocals on the new version of La memoire d'Abraham. Its really crazy and infuriating!

[smw]

I see, I'm 35 and doesn't consider myself part of Oprah audience, I was like only 21-22 when the Oprah show got cancelled... still I have been a Celine's fan for nearly 3 decades. I think she should simply release a good pop album that would appeal to a broad audience like A New Day Has Come. A new timeless christmas album could be a good idea at this point of her career and would appeal to people of all generations.

 

Just for clarity, Oprah's show wasn't canceled. She chose to end it.

 

And yes, a new Christmas album would be amazing. If Celine's health improves, I hope this happens.

[Gicedi]

I guess what we're trying to say is for her to get back to the Adult Contemporary repertoire.

[CelinesDIVO5]

Bad decisions are part of a career. And we are lucky that they mainly are about single choices or lack of promotion. About the things going down since ANDHC, I think René and Celine lost something at that time : their curiosity, they became quite isolated from the music industry, its evolution… in terms of music and of business. Choosing GTSW as a single was a way to kill the album to make a way for OH. But that was such a bad signal. They were disappointed by the sales of ANDHC and decided to switch to something new that was an album to honor a commercial deal with a car brand… I would have gone for a new edition of A New Day Has Come, called A New Day (to fit the show), with 7-8 new tracks like IDAN. And make this album live for at least 2 years and a half.

 

Disappointed by the sales of ANDHC? The week it released, it was number 1 and the highest selling record of the year at that point. The entire industry was disappointed in sales in 2002 due to piracy. It wasn’t exclusively a Celine thing.

 

And as far as OH goes, the main reason that album was released was because of the Chrysler deal and Vegas. It was a contractual obligation. It had nothing to do with the sales of ANDHC.

Edited September 19, 2023 at 10:41 PM by CelinesDIVO5

[idroveallnight]

Funny how Vito skips over OH and goes straight to TC

[idroveallnight]

and especially Sorry For Love. That song was definite single material.

 

I want to say that someone tried to get that song the credit it deserved by releasing the 2003 version but I just remember fans being up in arms at the time that we got 2 recycled songs. Which now is not a big deal considering Taylor Swift is re-recording all her old albums and fans are buying them like crazy. Imagine if Celine re-recorded FIY now

[idroveallnight]

Bad decisions are part of a career. And we are lucky that they mainly are about single choices or lack of promotion. About the things going down since ANDHC, I think René and Celine lost something at that time : their curiosity, they became quite isolated from the music industry, its evolution… in terms of music and of business. Choosing GTSW as a single was a way to kill the album to make a way for OH. But that was such a bad signal. They were disappointed by the sales of ANDHC and decided to switch to something new that was an album to honor a commercial deal with a car brand… I would have gone for a new edition of A New Day Has Come, called A New Day (to fit the show), with 7-8 new tracks like IDAN. And make this album live for at least 2 years and a half.

 

I think it was really the 2 year break that hurt her music charting. Yes, she came back with epic record sales with ANDHC but no Hot 100 hits. They should have capitalized on the success of MHWGO and kept releasing song after song simultaneously but we only got a Christmas album and a greatest hits album. Celine’s longevity is now in her touring like so many of these rockstars we don’t hear on the radio anymore. When I look at Mariah’s longevity, however, it’s rooted in her fandom and ability to use social media to connect with her — she’s also dominating Christmas like Celine dominated Vegas. It would have been nice if Celine’s team would have been sensitive to both (touring and fandom, which would have strengthened her music on the charts). But something happened with the music. The whole “edgy” thing took over and I think she lost herself by trying to sound less polished in an attempt to appeal to whom exactly? The teenage girl Swifties who saw themselves in every lyric written by her? In essence, the same thing critics were mocking Celine for (the dramatic over the top ballads) is what people loved the most about her music…and it just sort of disappeared. I think Courage was an attempt to resurrect that sound again.

[RosieBarron]

A lot of what he"s saying sounds true enough. René did not surround Céline with the "best and brightest". At least, there are no visionaries, no creatives, no strong personalities...in her team. With all due respect to Denis Savage, but can you imagine him disagreeing with Céline on anything? She has a big/strong personality and ideally needs someone who's able to respectfully stand up to her if necessary.

 

But the assertion that Céline hasn't had a hit since TC is of course ludicrous. It reminds me of Mégo, who seems to believe Céline's live shows have gone downhill since he was forced to leave (while the opposite is true).

It's crazy how many huge egos have surrounded Céline throughout her career. Between René, David Foster, JJG, Mego.. and now apparently Vito, one would almost fprget she deserves some credit for her career herself. 🙄

 

Honestly, if Vito ever wants to speak tp Céline again, he'll need to check his ego and be a bit more nuanced in his take on René. I somehow doubt he'll manage it 🙄

 

Agree, there may be some truth in what he is saying but he is telling it from a very biased point of view and clearly has a massive ego. He also knows they won't respond to counter his claims.