Celine to pay tribute to Whitney Houston (via video)

[Bell]

I think something is going on that we don't know about.

I don't mean to be melodramatic - but a postponed English album, a cancelled live TV special, a poor performance at the memorial concert...and now this.

I think someone in the family is sick, or there is another crisis. I am quite worried actually.

I don't know... Let's hope it's all fine.

[celinefan1991]

I'm really worried too. This thought has been consuming my mind for the past couple of days... Was there only that one article that Celine spoke of Rene being sick? Did he speak anything about it on that interview he did the other day? I can't understand French but from what I saw he looked good but you never know... I'm praying he's alright. It could be someone else in the family as well but god that article really scared me the other day...

[duri]

I'm really worried too. This thought has been consuming my mind for the past couple of days... Was there only that one article that Celine spoke of Rene being sick? Did he speak anything about it on that interview he did the other day? I can't understand French but from what I saw he looked good but you never know... I'm praying he's alright. It could be someone else in the family as well but god that article really scared me the other day...

He was on District V for interview this week and what I saw in video how he was talking, smiling and how he looks I think he is OK.

[duri]

René on was Denis Levésque no District V my mistake.

[drove all night]

I think something is going on that we don't know about.

I don't mean to be melodramatic - but a postponed English album, a cancelled live TV special, a poor performance at the memorial concert...and now this.

I think someone in the family is sick, or there is another crisis. I am quite worried actually.

 

 

This is what I thought too. But I go a little step further and say, that it's Celine's voice. That infection she had ... maybe it did more damage as they told. Look at the peformance of "L'amour exists encore". She definitely had problems with the notes that needed more power in the voice and went higher. Don't get me wrong ... I don't critize that fact. She's a human being and the peak she sang herself throughout the career is definitely hard to keep. The only problem is that people "expect" her holding that peek. And what comes strange across: Celine's always been an "open book", but now (as far as I know) there are no really good explanations, why all these things are happening.

 

Maybe there's something with her mother? In an recent interview Thérèse Dion said she'd been sick last year, but the doctors "put her on her feet again ..." http://7jours.ca/evenements/nouvelles/vero...amille-adoptive And there'd been a picture on Maman Dion, looking not so good (despite all the make-up).

 

In my opinion ... there's something going on, and that's not very good ...

Edited October 12, 2012 at 09:20 AM by drove all night

[Amethystj]

I was thinking the same thing.

It looked like everything was planned for Celine being on the tribute show (I don´t think they would actually mislead people), but there is something popped up for Celine not being there.

Like others on this forum said: something with Rene or maybe her mother?

In her interviews she's very clear: family comes first!

I hope we are wrong and everybody is just fine.

[Claudette]

Why are people making all kinds of assumptions about Celine or her family's health just because she wasn't there? It is not like this is the first time Celine missed something like this. Actually, we should have expected this, considering that is how things work in Celine world now. This was just another case of it being too much effort for Celine to get her butt onto her luxurious private plane and quickly flying to L.A. I'm not holding my breath for the Bambi thing either because I bet she won't be there. Edited October 12, 2012 at 10:01 AM by Claudette

[DionFanAlways]

Wow! I was so looking forward to this. To the fans who actually went I can't imagine the let down. I would be! (and I am) I wasn't even there.... Well I hope it will be a great video....

[CSCfan]

Logistically, the location of the tribute (LA) was quite a bit from where she is and seeing what else they have planned the coming days, she wouldn't just fly to LA for just the tribute. Maybe plans changed when they postponed the English album (she could've done more promo in LA)..

[enno2007]

What a nicely spirited debate : In the one corner, those who make up the worst stories and dramatise excessively; in the other corner those who have known all along that Celine is just lazy, doesn't care, is simply a terrible person (OK, I exaggerate, but it clearly goes in that direction).

 

To the former: Celine has made it very clear in her radio interview that her mother is (sadly but not surprisingly, given her age) on her way out - and it also became clear that Celine is aware of this. Therefore, it could be that there is a problem, but I think there are no signs for anything out of the ordinary. Regarding her voice: Yes, it cracked a bit during the high notes, but she had interviews the whole day long. And this is not a lame excuse, but a simple fact that has to be considered when her performance is judged. Moreover, the tone of her voice in the rest of the song was beautiful, so I think panic-mode is unnecessary.

 

To the latter: A private plane is certainly nice, but it is a plane after all and going from Quebec to L.A. is quite a long way. Moreover, there could be many (non-dramatic) reasons for this change of plan. The truth is that we don't know. It is hence understandable to be disappointed and to criticise that (especially those who bought tickets to go there), but what's the point of going almost mental and stating that she is just plain lazy? I mean, no offence, but who are you to judge?

 

This is by the way, in my opinion, why the self-proclaimed critics can be so annoying: One piece of news is blown out of proportion, is seen as an invitation to launch into a general, full-scale rant because there is apparently a pattern of permant deception. As a consequence, even if the intial problem is indeed a reason to be critical, this over-the-top-no-differentiation-all-is-bad-kind of response is in the end more frustrating than the inital bad news.

Edited October 12, 2012 at 10:40 AM by enno2007

[Fanxiaoqiang]

Just got home from the taping....and ((cry)) the was no Celine, only a screen view of Celine singing "The Greatest love of All". Ken Ehrlich the director/producer mentioned in his opening talk with the audience that Celine could not be there, that she was there in "spirit." Me and my friend just looked at each other and were ready to get up and walk out.It was such a bummer not having her there, and all the media report named her as one of the first performers!

 

The first performance was Jennifer Hudson, and she looked pretty hot, wearing her hair up like Whitney did in the video "I wanna dance with somebody". She did an upbeat set with a medley of "I'm every woman" and "I wanna dance with somebody." She was introduced by Halle Berry who clearly cried before, and cried through her speech about Whitney.

 

The producer then walked out again and then said this would be the part where Celine was going to do her song, but that it would be a taped set from Canada, where she is currently (most likely preparing for her taping for the promo of her new french album). They showed her on a TV show wearing a black and silver 80s dress singing (with Elise in the background) "the greatest love of all." It was actually a very good version of her singing. Very powerful, but she still had some accent isuues back then.The audience really applauded loudly after her rendtion.

 

Then Britney spears showed up to do a tribute, and she too was in tears as she spoke about Whitney. There was so much cheering for her. LL cool j then made a appearance and also talked about Whitney and then showed a full video of her performing "I will always love you".

 

Taranji Henson (did I spell her name right?) Then came out after showing a video of Whitney singing the "star spangled banner" at the Superbowl game, and then introduced Usher who got alot of the ladies doing cat calls for him. He sang "I believe in you and me" from the movie "Preacher's Wife" which starred Whitney. He had to tape it twice because of technical difficulties, but I think that song was too hard or him to hit the high notes, because he always stood on his toes when his voice went up really "high".

 

The best performance I think, was when Yolanda Adams and Cece winans came out together to sing "Count on me". Yoalnda was very quiet throughout the song, but it was Cece who had the most powerful voice. They had a choir come up in backgrounds, and the song just made everyone stand up and cheer.

 

And that was it.. The show was only one hour and a half long, and went by so quickly. Alot of the in between time was videos of Whitney telling stories or performing at the Grammys. Clive Davis was there to speak about Whitney, and Bobbi Kristina was in the audience being grateful for the tribute to her mom. There was a lot of love in the room.

 

BUT NO CELINE!!!!!!!! I want my money back! Oh well.....what can you do....

 

you can stay there and figer out what the hell is going on!

[Bumble]

Don't you think a 10 hour plane journey, just to sing a 3 minute song is a bit overkill for an event that isn't even live, but recorded days before airing?

 

Celine has some work to do in Quebec. It would have been unhealthy and environment unfriendly to do this trip.

Now I understand some people are disapointed by the fact she wasn't there, but it's totally understandable why she didn't come.

[Celine Fan 77]

I understand that she couldn't be there in person, but at least she could have told us before. So the fans that wanted to go just because of her wouldn't have spent their money on their tickets. I found that a bit unprofessional.

 

However, I'm quite thankful that she chose to perform Greatest Love Of All; it was one of the songs I was hoping to see her perform for this occasion.

[Claudette]

Blah blah blah. Here we go again with the ''negative'' thing and why it is annoying. The negativity on this forum is not just because some poeple feel like complaining all their lives or without a good reason. I've said it before and I'm going to say it again, Celine herself is the reason for the negativity. Celine had her critics years ago too, but things never got as bad as it is today amongst her own fans. So there must be a reason for it. Well, maybe it is because lately everthing she does is a dissapointment. You just have to read all the big threads from the past two years or so to see that. The album being postponed again and again, her not attending big events and shows, and if she does bother to show up, she lips, if she sings live, she sings like her #ss (which I get happens, but still). PAMP released as the first single. I'm not even getting into their horrible song choices for albums and shows. Need I go on?

 

In my opinion she should just retire while she still can bow out on a high because Celine herself and her whole team are not doing her career any favours. That way she would disspoint less of her fans. At the moment they get her fans' hopes up with promises of albums and shows, and in the end everybody is just disspointed. Or they better get their act together before it is too late. Nobody is asking her to work like she did in the 90's, but a little more effort from them can't hurt.

 

Call me what you want, negative, lord voldemort, or whatever. That is how I see things, and I'm pretty sure the negativity on here is just going to get worse and worse as time goes by.

 

Btw, don't you think it is annoying to read people's complaints about the ''negativity'' too? That is why I don't even bother to come here that often anymore.

Edited October 12, 2012 at 11:46 AM by Claudette

[enno2007]

It is interesting to see how much you have changed your tune: I think I can remember how positive you've been at the beginning, Claudette, sometimes even a bit too much in admiration and adoration for my taste. So, clearly, something has gone terribly wrong, as now there seems to be nothing but frustration, anger, disappointment and almost disgust in your posts.

 

You are of course entitled to feel this way, but why do you put yourself through all this? Why don't you just decide that Celine and her current music/attitude/etc. is not in line with what you are expecting? Why don't you just move on from her?

 

I am really serious, this is not meant in an ironic way and this is not an attempt to encourage you to leave the forum. I really want to know why you bother following the news (even if it is less frequently) on someone who doesn't give you anything except frustration.

 

I mean, there are dozens of singers I once liked and that I now don't care for anymore. And my thoughts on Celine have also changed a lot since I became a fan more than 16 years ago - but I know that should I ever reach the level of your disagreement with what she does I'll be out of here, keeping of course my CDs and memories of better times

 

As I said, I really don't mean this in a bad way , I just want to know... because I can't understand.

[Bell]

This is what I thought too. But I go a little step further and say, that it's Celine's voice.

She's a human being and the peak she sang herself throughout the career is definitely hard to keep. The only problem is that people "expect" her holding that peek.

Yes, that's a problem. No one can remain unchanged throughout one's whole life. But we tend to accept famous people as something more than humans. That's a mistake.

 

Maybe there's something with her mother? In an recent interview Thérèse Dion said she'd been sick last year, but the doctors "put her on her feet again ..." http://7jours.ca/evenements/nouvelles/vero...amille-adoptive And there'd been a picture on Maman Dion, looking not so good (despite all the make-up).

Well, I think she looks fine for her age. Don't forget how old is she. But she still can have a health problem.

[GoldenLeaf]

I think she's still in Montreal so she likely won't be there in person.

 

I think they will show her performances of SAMLFY and GLOA from 1987/1988 along with a satellite message from Celine.

 

I hope they show the full performances and not just a snippet.

I wasn't that far from the reality. Like I said Celine was still in Montreal on October 9th and she still is. Do you guys really think she'd have embarked on 10 hours flight with in addition a 3 hours jet lag only to perform one song that last 3 minutes ?

 

Anyway, the press never mentioned that she would be there ''in person''.

 

At last, she's doing something to pay tribute to Whitney unlike Mariah Carey (aka the so-called friend of Whitney) who didn't even bother to record a tribute message.

Edited October 12, 2012 at 12:46 PM by Calypso

[CelinesDIVO5]

I think some of you are being rather selfish. This was a Whitney Houston tribute...not a "Tribute to Whitney Houston, brought to you by fellow diva Celine Dion" I understand it's a disappointment that she wasn't there in person. But it's not like we all didn't know she was in Canada days before this taping. It was a 90% chance that she wasn't going to be there. So, people that bought those tickets, it's unfortunate but you were taking a chance buying those tickets, and missing class, and work for it.

 

There is WAY too much negativity surrounding this. Someone made a good point to Claudette about why she bothers following a singer that seems to frustrate her more these days than she enjoys her. I think that could be asked of quite a few of you. I am a HUGE fan of Celine. I live in the US and I really can't afford to go and see her in Vegas. You have never heard me cry about it though. Just enjoy what the woman puts out and think of everything else as bonus. We got so much from her in the 90s. Give it a rest already.

[ks1981]

So does this mean they are using old footage for her performance in the final cut of the show?

 

Was Celine supposed to be there but couldn't go in the end or was the never the case? I'd be disappointed if I had brought tickets but like some speculate perhaps something is going on behind the scenes.

[CelinesDIVO5]

So does this mean they are using old footage for her performance in the final cut of the show?

 

Was Celine supposed to be there but couldn't go in the end or was the never the case? I'd be disappointed if I had brought tickets but like some speculate perhaps something is going on behind the scenes.

 

I don't think she was supposed to be there at all. She is working in Canada right now. She apparently taped a new performance of GLOA, and it will be edited in for the final broadcast.

[DionFanAlways]

Well water under the bridge people. Lets get on with it! I will be a fan till the end!!

[davidjag79]

Let's be honest the only reason Celine was a part of this Tribute to begin with is because of Kenneth Ehrlich. I am a little disappointed that she wasn't there live and I could imagine the fans that purchased tickets in hopes that she would be there. I'm sure her being in Canada had a big part of that due to promotion of Sans Attendre ect. not to mention the fact that alot of Whitney fans were upset with Celine for the interview that was giving shortly after her passing. Which I think the interview was misunderstood by many because of translation issues (Celine was coming from a good place but many ppl took it negatively) Her not being there could have been to avoid negative responses from audience (Whitney fans) or to avoid any awkward moments that could have occured from fellow preformers that may have been upset by her comments after Whitneys death IMO. On the bright side we will get a "live recording" of GLOA on the 15th of this month which will air on the CBS special Which will more than likely lead to a tribute for the Vegas show and possibly a bonus track on Water and A Flame Edited October 12, 2012 at 01:14 PM by davidjag79

[xTheGoodBoyx]

I think some of you are being rather selfish. This was a Whitney Houston tribute...not a "Tribute to Whitney Houston, brought to you by fellow diva Celine Dion" I understand it's a disappointment that she wasn't there in person. But it's not like we all didn't know she was in Canada days before this taping. It was a 90% chance that she wasn't going to be there. So, people that bought those tickets, it's unfortunate but you were taking a chance buying those tickets, and missing class, and work for it.

 

There is WAY too much negativity surrounding this. Someone made a good point to Claudette about why she bothers following a singer that seems to frustrate her more these days than she enjoys her. I think that could be asked of quite a few of you. I am a HUGE fan of Celine. I live in the US and I really can't afford to go and see her in Vegas. You have never heard me cry about it though. Just enjoy what the woman puts out and think of everything else as bonus. We got so much from her in the 90s. Give it a rest already.

 

I agree. I understand the disappointment some would have but you gotta understand she is a mother now and can't be everywhere all the time.Her priorities have changed since the 90s and even though the selfish part of me would love for her to be like she was then, I understand she has found that there is much more to life than just music.

[takeachance]

I hope everything is ok with Celine and the family, dissapointing she wasnt at the tribute, but i hope all is ok

[Nando Férri]

This forum has the most pessimistic, paranoid, judgemental fans on the planet... Of Course Celine will be there in person and actually sing a tribute to Whitney... I mean she is only mentioned in the press releases and article as the headliner

So what were you saying?

[LVCeline]

I wonder if we would have been disappointed as much as we are now if we originally knew she was doing it via satellite all along. I think we all had the expectation she would be there so we're all let down a bit more than if we never expected her to be there in the first place.

 

I'm excited to have an updated version of GLOA, I'm curious to know how it will turn out in 2012 versus 1987.

[fred]

I don't know what is most disapointing: the song choice or she not being there.

 

 

I really hoped she wouldn't sing any of the Whitney songs she already did (TGLOA, SAMLFY). But it was quite predictable she'd stay in a comfort zone and do one of them. I had hoped for SAMLFY if that was the case, mainly coz I think she'd sing that more soulfully coz I bet it describes her and Rene's relationship at the beginning. TGLOA is way too sappy, and to hear a song like this being sung by Celine Dion who is known for overly sappy songs is just something which would make people roll their eyes.

Too bad, I had really hoped for I Believe In You And Me.

 

And why she wasn't there? There must be a good reason. I mean, how many tribute concerts to one of your greatest idols who recently passed away are you able to be part of? It shouldn't be taken lightly. But as it seems now it has. And there surely must be a reason for it.

 

/fred

[ks1981]

Let's be honest the only reason Celine was a part of this Tribute to begin with is because of Kenneth Ehrlich. I am a little disappointed that she wasn't there live and I could imagine the fans that purchased tickets in hopes that she would be there. I'm sure her being in Canada had a big part of that due to promotion of Sans Attendre ect. not to mention the fact that alot of Whitney fans were upset with Celine for the interview that was giving shortly after her passing. Which I think the interview was misunderstood by many because of translation issues (Celine was coming from a good place but many ppl took it negatively) Her not being there could have been to avoid negative responses from audience (Whitney fans) or to avoid any awkward moments that could have occured from fellow preformers that may have been upset by her comments after Whitneys death IMO. On the bright side we will get a "live recording" of GLOA on the 15th of this month which will air on the CBS special Which will more than likely lead to a tribute for the Vegas show and possibly a bonus track on Water and A Flame

 

 

I have wondered before with that telephone interview she gave following Whitneys death - if she was told info about the death and the circumstances Whitney was found... Ie: perhaps If Rene had spoken to Clive Davis and something was said etc. To the outside world it would have appeared Celine was making grand assumptions but in reality she may have been told info that hadn't yet been revealed to the press. Suppose that may have been possible. Well it was right what she said anyhow.

[sunnyceline]

Mariah did a tribute at the BET awards. You can hear it in this Youtube video:

 

Mariah Carey's Tribute to Whitney Houston

 

There was a performance of Whitney's songs afterwards by Monica, Brandy, Cissy Houston, and then Chaka Khan

 

 

I wasn't that far from the reality. Like I said Celine was still in Montreal on October 9th and she still is. Do you guys really think she'd have embarked on 10 hours flight with in addition a 3 hours jet lag only to perform one song that last 3 minutes ?

 

Anyway, the press never mentioned that she would be there ''in person''.

 

At last, she's doing something to pay tribute to Whitney unlike Mariah Carey (aka the so-called friend of Whitney) who didn't even bother to record a tribute message.

[GoldenLeaf]

sunnyceline, I know this but I was talking about the ''We Will Always Love You: A Grammy Salute To Whitney Houston'' concert special. MC is not taking part in this Tribute TV special as far as I know. Edited October 12, 2012 at 05:49 PM by Calypso