Patrick Sébastien recalls his memories of Céline Dion: “yes, she was successful, she is very rich but…”

50 years of memories. Patrick Sébastien has worked with many artists during his career, thanks to his shows and television shows, notably The largest cabaret in the world on France 2. On October 31, he published a work: The carnival of the ambitious in which he recounts his memories and paints a portrait of all those he met. Singing stars, comedians and even politicians.

Among all these beautiful people: Céline Dion. Patrick Sébastien was one of the first to introduce Céline Dion to the French public and bring her on stage. In his book, he returns to this particular moment.

Celine Dion: happier before?

In September 1984, Patrick Sébastien performed as an artist in a show which then took place “under a marquee planted in a vacant lot a stone’s throw from the town” he wrote. On this occasion, he chose two artists as the opening act: Philippe Lavil and a young 16-year-old from Quebec, Céline Dion. At that time, she was already accompanied by René Angélil, her manager. Patrick Sébastien remembers her as the “young girl in kitsch ruffled skirt“. And the conditions of the show are not the most incredible, the young Céline Dion then exclaims: “So I don't care about the decor! For me, you know, as long as I sing, it's Las Vegas everywhere.” he remembers.

At that moment, no one knew that a few years later, having become a world star, Céline Dion would perform for several years in residence in Las Vegas and that a performance hall would be created especially for her.

Patrick Sébastien spoke to our colleagues at Télé-Loisirs to discuss his new work. About Celine Dion, he declared: “This little one, she was cheerful, lively and today she suffered a lot, she is sick. So yes, she was successful, she is very rich, she is a world icon, but the question I ask myself is: 'Which of the two was happier?'. I think maybe the 16 year old was happier. She had no money, but she already had René with her and I'm sure she misses him a lot..” Indeed, Céline Dion has suffered for several years from stiff person syndrome, a serious neurological disease. In fact, she had to put her career on hold because her body was no longer keeping up.