Celine Dion Is Back
Photo: George Burns/Harpo Studios
In 25 years of The Oprah Winfrey Show, only one celebrity will go down in history as having the most guest appearances on the show. That distinction goes to music superstar Celine Dion, who's been part of a whopping 27 shows since her very first appearance in 1996.
Though her voice made her an international superstar, it's Celine's charm that won viewers' hearts. In the past 15 years, Celine has shared some of her most intimate moments—from falling in love with husband René to bringing her first child into the world—and surprised adoring fans on screen. She's also had plenty of memorable moments with Oprah herself, like singing to her on her 50th birthday and teaching her to fly in Las Vegas.
Look back at all of Celine's Oprah Show appearances
Though her voice made her an international superstar, it's Celine's charm that won viewers' hearts. In the past 15 years, Celine has shared some of her most intimate moments—from falling in love with husband René to bringing her first child into the world—and surprised adoring fans on screen. She's also had plenty of memorable moments with Oprah herself, like singing to her on her 50th birthday and teaching her to fly in Las Vegas.
Look back at all of Celine's Oprah Show appearances
These days, Celine's life is changing in many exciting ways, especially since the birth of her twin sons Eddy and Nelson. After years of struggling to conceive a second child and suffering a heartbreaking miscarriage, Celine and her husband welcomed the boys on October 23, 2010.
Meet Eddy and Nelson
Celine says she's lucky to have R.C., her oldest son, as the twins' big brother. "I think I have the best situation because I have a 10-year-old, and he can function to take a shower and grab something to eat and do his things," she says.
With three kids and a busy work schedule, Celine says she doesn't have much time for herself, but she doesn't mind. "There's no time for you to rest, sleep, get ready, look pretty, go out. But when you think about it, we wanted those kids so much that it doesn't matter," she says.
Meet Eddy and Nelson
Celine says she's lucky to have R.C., her oldest son, as the twins' big brother. "I think I have the best situation because I have a 10-year-old, and he can function to take a shower and grab something to eat and do his things," she says.
With three kids and a busy work schedule, Celine says she doesn't have much time for herself, but she doesn't mind. "There's no time for you to rest, sleep, get ready, look pretty, go out. But when you think about it, we wanted those kids so much that it doesn't matter," she says.
Photo: George Burns/Harpo Studios
Choosing the boys' names was one of the hardest parts of having twins, Celine says. "It's hard to find one name, then we have to find two," she says. "I kind of stepped back from it a moment [and] asked René for his opinion on that. We were feeling different on names—we didn't agree to start with."
For a week after the twins were born, Celine says she and René still hadn't agreed on names, so they called them "Baby A" and "Baby B." Eventually, they made up their minds. "The first thing that popped into my heart was Nelson because we had the privilege of meeting with Mr. Nelson Mandela," she says.
Eddy was named after another of Celine and René's heroes, Eddy Marnay, the man who wrote Celine's first five French albums. "[He] had an amazing impact on both of our lives," Celine says. "So two heroes: Eddy and Nelson."
For a week after the twins were born, Celine says she and René still hadn't agreed on names, so they called them "Baby A" and "Baby B." Eventually, they made up their minds. "The first thing that popped into my heart was Nelson because we had the privilege of meeting with Mr. Nelson Mandela," she says.
Eddy was named after another of Celine and René's heroes, Eddy Marnay, the man who wrote Celine's first five French albums. "[He] had an amazing impact on both of our lives," Celine says. "So two heroes: Eddy and Nelson."
Celine's 10-year-old son R.C. (short for René Charles) stood by his parents during their struggle to conceive, including six tries at in vitro fertilization. "He was an amazing trooper. Very sensitive," Celine says. "For every trial, he was with us emotionally."
Despite her struggles to get pregnant a second time, Celine says she never thought about giving up. "I was going to try until the doctor would say to me, 'You cannot try anymore,'" she says.
Being a famous parent can be tough, Celine says, because you can't play with your children outside the home without being recognized. "I always say to the bodyguards when we go bowling, for example, 'If the fans come, don't tell them no. But ask them if they can wait because I'm having a moment with my child, and if they don’t mind waiting, I will be pleased to give them an autograph if they want,'" she says.
As a solution, Celine and René built a home in Florida where her entire extended family—including her mother, 13 siblings and René's children from a previous marriage—can visit and play in privacy. "We get together as a family, and everybody can have a grandiose time with each other and feel that we are in Disney World," she says. "It's to accommodate our type of lives, really."
Take a tour of Celine and René's home
Despite her struggles to get pregnant a second time, Celine says she never thought about giving up. "I was going to try until the doctor would say to me, 'You cannot try anymore,'" she says.
Being a famous parent can be tough, Celine says, because you can't play with your children outside the home without being recognized. "I always say to the bodyguards when we go bowling, for example, 'If the fans come, don't tell them no. But ask them if they can wait because I'm having a moment with my child, and if they don’t mind waiting, I will be pleased to give them an autograph if they want,'" she says.
As a solution, Celine and René built a home in Florida where her entire extended family—including her mother, 13 siblings and René's children from a previous marriage—can visit and play in privacy. "We get together as a family, and everybody can have a grandiose time with each other and feel that we are in Disney World," she says. "It's to accommodate our type of lives, really."
Take a tour of Celine and René's home
Photo: George Burns/Harpo Studios
In March 2011, Celine will be returning to Las Vegas to perform a brand new show at Caesars Palace, and she's bringing the whole family with her! Celine says she's accommodating R.C.'s school schedule by doing the show in blocks—five weeks of shows, then a month or two at home in Florida. "I'll never move without my family," she says.
The new show—simply called "Celine"—will feature a 31-piece orchestra, as well as a tribute to pop culture icons. "[There will be] a Michael Jackson medley, a James Bond medley," Celine says. "Six or seven costume changes."
Celine says she's thrilled to be returning to Sin City. "It's just extraordinary to feel that you're wanted again," she says. "It's a great feeling."
More from the show
Tour Celine's spectacular home
See Celine's past Oprah Show appearances
The new show—simply called "Celine"—will feature a 31-piece orchestra, as well as a tribute to pop culture icons. "[There will be] a Michael Jackson medley, a James Bond medley," Celine says. "Six or seven costume changes."
Celine says she's thrilled to be returning to Sin City. "It's just extraordinary to feel that you're wanted again," she says. "It's a great feeling."
More from the show
Tour Celine's spectacular home
See Celine's past Oprah Show appearances
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