Celine Dion's management team and record label, Sony Music Canada, have strongly condemned the unauthorized use of her iconic song "My Heart Will Go On" at a Donald Trump campaign rally in Montana.
A video featuring Dion performing the 1997 hit was played at the Trump and JD Vance rally in Bozeman, Montana, on Friday evening. On Saturday, Dion's team released a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, expressing their displeasure.
"In no way is this use authorized, and Celine Dion does not endorse this or any similar use," the statement read. It further added, "â¦And really, THAT song?"
The use of the power ballad, which famously served as the theme song for the 1997 film "Titanic", a love story set against the backdrop of the Titanic's sinking, has drawn criticism for its incongruity with the political context.
Dion is not the first artist to object to the Trump campaign's use of their music. In 2016, The Rolling Stones issued a statement demanding the immediate cessation of "Start Me Up" usage after it was played at a Trump rally. Similarly, Rihanna took a stand in 2018, expressing her disapproval of "Don't Stop the Music" being played at another rally.
"Me nor my people would ever be at or around one of those tragic rallies," Rihanna stated at the time.
This trend of artists rejecting the Trump campaign's musical selections extends further. Neil Young, Aerosmith's Steven Tyler, Everlast (formerly of House of Pain), and British singer Adele have all publicly criticised Trump for utilising their music at rallies over the years.
The recurring issue highlights the tension between political campaigns seeking to resonate with audiences through familiar music and the right of artists to control the use of their creative work. It also underscores the increasing trend of musicians taking a stand against the use of their music for political purposes they do not endorse.
