A new tribute show brings together four singers to honor Céline Dion’s greatest hits. Directed by Erick Benzi, the show promises an emotional journey for fans as they await the superstar’s potential return.
To bring Céline Dion’s greatest hits to life, four singers are joining forces for Génération Céline, a tribute show created by Erick Benzi, one of Dion’s longtime collaborators and trusted arrangers.
“There’s a real desire for people to come together, to sing and dance to songs we all know. Céline embodies that spirit,” says Benzi, who has produced the show in a format increasingly popular both in France and abroad.
Kicking off this Friday in Beauvais before moving to Paris over the weekend and then embarking on a full tour in 2026, Génération Céline was no small casting challenge. Benzi listened to demos from over 200 singers before narrowing it down to 20 finalists for auditions.
“The first question is: can you sing All by Myself? Some songs are make-or-break,” he says, referring to the Eric Carmen classic that Céline turned into a powerhouse hit in 1996.
Four vocalists were ultimately selected to perform Céline’s most iconic French and English songs, including On ne change pas, I’m Alive, and My Heart Will Go On, the unforgettable theme from James Cameron’s Titanic. Catherine Pearson — a Canadian singer already performing in the show Passion Céline in Canada — is joined by Magali Ponsada, Chiara Nova, and Virginie Rohart. Their voices, strikingly similar to Céline’s, create a moving homage to the superstar.
Instead of casting just one singer to play Céline, Benzi opted for “the fun of a night out” where “we tell her musical story” as though through “a group of fans,” he explains. The show is produced by Richard Walter, a veteran in the tribute show world with productions honoring Queen and Pink Floyd.
“I know Céline well, having worked on four of her albums. I understand how to tell her story authentically, without betraying it or risking her legacy,” Benzi explains. He notably worked on Dion’s landmark album D’Eux, written by Jean-Jacques Goldman.
“But we need to be very clear — no one can replace Céline. She’s not just one of the top five singers in the world, which is rare enough, but also a fashion icon and a real-life fairy tale,” he adds passionately. Benzi was also close to René Angélil, Céline’s late husband and mentor, who passed away in 2016.
Since 2022, Céline Dion has been battling Stiff Person Syndrome, a rare and incurable neurological condition.
After four years out of the public eye, she made a triumphant return during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics, performing Édith Piaf’s timeless Hymne à l'amour live from the Eiffel Tower, captivating a global audience.
Céline’s music resonates deeply with listeners thanks to its unique blend of vocal complexity and universal appeal, Benzi notes.
Shows like Tribute to Céline Dion, Entre-D’Eux, and Destin demonstrate the enduring power of her catalog. The demand for Céline’s music remains as strong as ever, with audiences eager for any chance to reconnect with her songs.
Speculation about a possible return — whether through a tour or a new studio album — continues to swirl, though nothing has been confirmed.
For now, fans are celebrating the 30th anniversary of D’Eux, the best-selling French-language album of all time, with nearly 10 million copies sold worldwide. The album features classics like Pour que tu m’aimes encore and Je sais pas, both written by Goldman.
“When I’m no longer here,” the 57-year-old singer said in a documentary aired on M6 in late August, “I truly believe my songs will still be played and sung.”
By Fanny LATTACH / AFP
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