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Celine Dion Pours Her Heart Into Performance of John Farnham’s ‘You’re the Voice’: Watch

Australian audiences got a glimpse at the Canadian superstar's rare talent when she appeared remotely for an all-star concert celebrating the songs and career of John Farnham.

Celine Dion performs on stage at at the John Farnham Tribute Concert at Rod Laver Arena on the 20th of September 2026 in Melbourne, Australia.

Celine Dion performs on stage at at the John Farnham Tribute Concert at Rod Laver Arena on the 20th of September 2026 in Melbourne, Australia.

Martin Philbey

Celine Dion is back, and in the finest of form. Australian audiences got a glimpse at the Canadian superstar’s rare talent on Sunday (Sept. 20), when she appeared remotely for an all-star concert celebrating the songs and career of John Farnham.

Dion joined in on the action midway through the show presented at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena, and beamed into Hoyt’s cinemas around the country. She had no easy task — performing Farnham’s greatest of all hits, 1986’s “You’re The Voice,” a song regarded in these parts as the “unofficial” national anthem.


“Hello, everyone. I really wish I could be with you there tonight, to celebrate my dear friend John. But I am on my new stage in Paris this week,” she said at the top. “You know, John, you’ve always been such a deep inspiration for me. I always loved to hear you sing. And the way you sang one song, in particular, is one of my very, very favorite performances ever. That’s all. It’s so dear to my heart.”

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Dion dueted with Farnham back in August 2018 during her concert in the same venue. On that occasion, they also performed “You’re the Voice.”

“It was such an honor,” she said during the remote rendition. “And at the same time, so much fun, to sing it with you. And that, my friend, is… eight years ago. I know, I think you know this one, very well.”

As previously reported, Farnham, aged 77, was unable to attend the show due to poor health.

Dion, who is battling with stiff person syndrome, a rare autoimmune neurological disorder that causes muscle stiffness and painful spasms, is currently powering through a 16-date comeback residency at Paris’ Plenitude Arena.

The chart-topping star was one of more than 120 artists and musicians who participated in the Songs Of John Farnham: A Living Legend – The Celebration Concert, alongside the likes of Vanessa Amorosi, Tina Arena, Jimmy Barnes, Kate Ceberano, Diesel, Human Nature, Richard Marx, Jessica Mauboy, Jon Stevens, Keith Urban, Mark Vincent, Ross Wilson, and surprise guests Chris Martin and Hugh Jackman.

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The 15,0000-capacity Rod Laver Arena was a swift sellout, while more than 23,000 Farnham fans packed Hoyt’s cinemas nationwide, reps say.

Following strong audience demand, the concert, produced by Cochrane Entertainment and TEG Dainty, will return to the big screen for an encore season, featuring a re-edited version.

Watch Dion’s performance below and here.

This article was first published by Billboard U.S.

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Ella Langley
Courtesy Photo
Ella Langley
Country

Ella Langley Toasts ‘Choosin’ Texas’ Setting All-Time Hot 100 High: ‘Today Doesn’t Feel Like a Real Thing’

Langley's hit surpassed Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas" for the most weeks ever spent at No. 1 on the chart.

Texas forever. Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” smash notched a 23rd week atop the Billboard Hot 100 on Tuesday (Sept. 22), and the country star celebrated breaking the record for having the the most weeks at No. 1 on the U.S. chart with a heartfelt video posted to Instagram thanking her fans.

“I’m genuinely trying to find the words to help explain what’s going on in my brain today,” she began. “Thank you so much for loving this song, for listening to it… I’m running out of hyperboles to describe how I feel.”

This article was first published by Billboard U.S.

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