Celine Dion Makes Surprise Grammys Appearance—And Awards Taylor Swift Her Record-Breaking Trophy

After Celine Dion stepped away from performing in 2022, citing her diagnosis with the rare neurological disorder “stiff-person” syndrome, fans didn’t know when they’d next see the “My Heart Will Go On” singer. That made her unannounced (but vaguely teased) appearance at the 2024 Grammys all the more remarkable as she prepared to present the night’s most coveted award. Dressed in a pale-pink Valentino gown and orange overcoat, styled by the also-legendary Law Roach, Dion stepped out to the tune of her hit “The Power of Love.” (The camera cut to Taylor Swift in the audience, enthusiastically belting along.)

“When I say that I’m happy to be here, I really mean it from my heart,” Dion told the audience as the applause subsided. “Those who have been blessed enough to be here at the Grammy Awards must never take for granted the tremendous love and joy that music brings to our lives, and to people all around the world. And now it gives me great joy to present a Grammy award that two legends, Diana Ross and Sting, presented to me 27 years ago. These are the outstanding nominees for the Album of the Year.”

Sure enough, it was Swift herself who earned the honor of AOTY for Midnights, making it her fourth Album of the Year win—and allowing her to break the record for most Album of the Year wins by a single artist. (She’d previously been tied for three alongside Frank Sinatra, Paul Simon, and Stevie Wonder.)

“All I want to do is to keep being able to do this,” Swift told her fans as she hoisted her Grammy high, and if her commitment for her upcoming Tokyo shows is any indication, that’s exactly what she’ll keep doing. Do I wish she would’ve thanked (or otherwise acknowledged) Celine Dion in her speech? Uh, yes, absolutely. But is it nevertheless a pleasure to watch an icon pass the baton to a Grammy record-breaker? Sure, we’ll take it. Legends all around.