英语名人堂：席琳·迪翁

Celine Dion is a superstar in both French and English. She is one of the most talented and successful artists of her generation. In May 2008, she received France’s highest award, but her beginnings were slightly more humble¹. She was the youngest of 14 children born to poor parents. Music was a key part of family life and her earliest dream was to be famous.

 

When she was eighteen, at a Michael Jackson concert, she decided² she wanted to be a star like him. She needed a change of image and had cosmetic³ and dental surgery. She also had English lessons to polish her accent for singing songs in English. Her English debut⁴, the 1990 album ‘Unison’, brought her to the world’s attention.

 

Dion has spent two decades making hit albums in English and sticking to her roots by singing in French. She says she is a French singer who occasionally records in English. Her 1995 release ‘D’eux’ is still the best-selling French album of all time. She continues to perform regularly and is today regarded as one of pop music's most influential⁵ female vocalists.

 

Dion is also a clever businesswoman. She has branched out into different areas to market her name. She started and then sold a successful restaurant franchise⁶. She then signed a profitable deal with perfume giant Coty to release her own line of fragrances⁷. She also supports many charities worldwide. She has achieved her childhood dream and helped countless⁸ people along the way.