Celine Dion's powerful performance at the Paris Olympics opening ceremony has sparked a significant rise in her music streams on Spotify, according to the audio streaming giant's CEO.
Daniel Ek, Spotify's CEO, shared on X (formerly Twitter) that there was a "surge in streams of @celinedion's music overall" on the platform following the Canadian singer's performance at the highly anticipated event on Friday.
Dion's music saw a remarkable 35% increase in streams globally, with an even more impressive 65% jump in streams within France, the host nation of the Games. This surge in popularity comes after a four-year hiatus from live performances for the singer, caused by the pandemic and her subsequent diagnosis with stiff person syndrome, as reported by the Associated Press.
"I'm honored to have performed tonight, for the Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony, and so full of joy to be back in one of my very favourite cities," Dion wrote on X. "Most of all, I'm so happy to be celebrating these amazing athletes, with all their stories of sacrifice and determination, pain and perseverance."
Ek's report on Dion's post-ceremony boost was part of a larger thread highlighting the significant increase in listens for French music on Spotify following the opening ceremony's impressive musical performances.
The iconic French song "L'Hymne à l'Amour" by Ãdith Piaf, which Dion performed, saw a staggering 320% increase in streams on July 27th, the day after the opening ceremony, Ek revealed.
Beyond Dion's success, French metal band Gojira also experienced a surge in popularity, gaining over 300,000 new Spotify followers since their performance.
Other performers at the opening ceremony included global superstar Lady Gaga and French pop sensation Aya Nakamura, contributing to a captivating musical spectacle that captivated audiences worldwide.
The opening ceremony attracted a massive audience, with 28.6 million viewers tuning in on NBC and Peacock in the US, along with 666,000 on Telemundo Deportes. These figures represent a 60% increase compared to the opening ceremony of the previous Summer Games in Tokyo.
The Paris Olympics opening ceremony, a dazzling celebration of athleticism and artistry, clearly resonated with viewers globally, with Dion's powerful performance leaving a lasting impact on her music's popularity, particularly on Spotify.
