People were backlashing her because they all were saying she was giving up French singing for an English career. Celine definetly took the stand big time.
this was a dumb move a verry dumb move why because she spend more than half her life on english territory singing and she is known becaus eof her english singing so yeah she is a shit of an artist bullshitter
I love how Celine is able to be able to balance singing both English and French at the same time. So excited for her new English album coming out. Loved her last French album Encore Un Soir.
+Christopher Bubb everything celine does is with grace. also great respect to the fact she was nt the huge star she is today. she could well at that stage been binned off. hats off to her bravery.
All because french Canadians were so sensitive and think she was ignoring her french fans cuz she was doing english albums. I swear the people of the world all need a tampon. People are so sensitive
A risky move that could have alienated a large audience the year of her first international album. But she showed guts! Big kudos to her for sticking to her convictions. Not sure many would do this in her shoes.
Claudette cheering for her sister not knowing that she'll refuse the awards is so bittersweet. I love Claudette. So lovely to see Céline hug her sister after.
Its not about the song being in English, its about her being considered an English artist, which she is not (and never has been). This award was for the BEST ENGLISH ARTIST. She also sang a very successful song in Japanese called "Be The Man", so should she have received an award for Best Japanese Artist? or should she have received the award for Best Spanish Artist for the wildly popular spanish version of All By Myself (Sola Otra Vez)? Or would it be appropriate for artists like Shakira or Ricky Martin to get an award for Best English Artist? Think about it.
So based on what you are saying, if Pedro Almodovar made a movie in English, then the movie would have to be entered in the best foreign movie category in the Oscars ? Pedro is a "Spanish" film director after all. Listen, awards are given based on language in the artwork. It is not based on the identity of the artist. She can accept a best English song award and STILL be a proud Quebeccer. Understand? Now GO BACK INTO YOUR HOLE.
And listen. DON'T YOU USE CONDESCENDING LANGUAGE LIKE "THINK ABOUT IT" IN MY PRESENCE. I have forgiven you this time. I won't forgive you the next time.
@@umbertlambert2113 Best English Artist and Best English Album would be two very different things. Her work was an English album, she is not, however, an English artist. It isn’t a very difficult concept to grasp. Good day.
I started out listening to Celine Dion in English. As a linguistics student, I was interested in her work in her own language. It completely blew me away. I listen to it and go back to the translations provided on line, since I don't speak French That she took part publicly in the role to increase the respect that is due to Quebecois is something I appreciate greatly. Lastly, as an English speaker, I feel a deep sense of gratitude to the French for their critical contributions to English as we know it. Celine Dion will always occupy a respected place in my playlist of international music. Her refusal of this award was delivered with grace, and I respect her more for it
She didn't accept this award just for the sake of her French and Canadian fans.. To prove that she didn't turn her back on them when she started to singin in English language and made her first all english songs album. What a class act from Celine the Goddess of Music❤️
I admire her because she so wanted to be recognized in the right way instead of being awarded in this situation it took guts but she held her own and said her piece. My respects she is a true artist
only she can say all this without getting rocks thrown at her. the who crowd is enchanted by her charm. that was so brilliantly done she could be an actress too
She was just being purely honest and was trying to do the right thing. I think she felt bad that she had to come forth on this. I admire her honesty and her talent. She could have smiled and said, "Thank you for this award (for being the best American Singer @#$*&*(@#$&* whatever.... Hats off to her for her honesty on this one.
the way she turned and looked at Réne when Caludette (her _sister_ - the nerve of l'ADISQ) said her name... so much shade. just screamed "really?" and God she looked fantastic.
True artist! Glad she stood up for what she believed! When she grew up and matured she realized how lucky she was in this industry. Her English singing albums threw her to one on the biggest stars in history not to mention her millions she's made. This would have never been possibly singing in her native French Canadian language. She wasn't being political, she was just young.
Your comment really is ignorant. French is a language spoken by millions of people around the world. Just because many English-speaking people don’t understand it, it doesn’t mean that this language should be despised. France and other French-speaking countries have beautiful cultures and important musical industries. Just because English is considered the most important language and that the Anglosphere culture is dominant in the world, it doesn’t mean that other cultures aren’t great or important as well. I know that you made this comment 7 years ago and that it’s ridiculous to answer you several years later but I know that many people are like you and despise foreign cultures. If I can help educate people a little bit about French culture, I will do it. By the way, millions of people love hearing Celine Dion sing in French, and not just the French. I guess that the French language can be charming and lovely, even to foreigners. To conclude, I think Celine Dion is still proud of her culture, of Quebec, and I believe that to this day, she stands by what she said at this ceremony. And if you think that her English albums are the only ones worth mentioning and worth listening to, you’re completely wrong.
@@saramonegier6784 they were just telling the truth to make it at an international level and to be incredibly successful especially on the level of people such as Celine you’ve got to appeal to the American market otherwise it’s 101% impossible to go global had she not of done English work it wouldn’t have happened not to that degree especially back in her day very few people make it far doing so in their own language times have slightly changed K-pop is one of the exceptions as they’ve appealed to the west (however when bts did dynamite which is a fully English record it was a hundreds times more successful) but even today it’s not often those exceptions are made the power is in the hands of the public they like what they like it’s just a fact that English work will take you further if you’re content with the possibility of not being a global star and just being big in your own country fine stick to your roots and only do that language wanna make it big time then sacrifices have to be made it’s not up for debate everyone knows it anyone in the entertainment industry who isn’t English would even tell you that be pressed all you want but that doesn’t take anything away from what simply is factual
@@saramonegier6784 I don't think anybody despises French culture just because they only know Celine Dion after she began singing in English. Just because you don't know much about a culture doesn't mean you look down upon it. She was more than allowed to celebrate where she's from and also be open to exploring more, just like we all can...and by doing so, it surely opened more doors. Especially for the fact that her career has spanned a few generations, in which media has also drastically changed, many would never have otherwise been exposed to her and her older stuff until after the exact time when she did already begin recording in English anyway as people in their 30s today didn't come to exist on earth until about then either.
My ancestors left Quebec over a century ago and came to the USA. And while I’m fortunate to be an English speaking American, I cannot help but feel as though my family lost something beautiful when my grand-père abandoned the French language. I learned French in college and I was able to converse with my grandfather in his native tongue shortly before his death.
I think it is hilarious how all these Americans commenting below seem to think this has anything to with America. Clearly, you have no idea about the Canadian ethnic dynamics. In Canada, there is still a lot of tension regarding the language issue and the identity of the French-Canadians. Her refusal of this award has nothing to do with her being anti-American. It's about her being extremely French- Canadian, and being French-Canadian, they feel the need to always separate themselves from us Anglophone-Canadians. She has never represented Canada well. She represents Quebec and if you all knew anything about Canada you would know that most Quebecers view themselves as a separate country.
Don't put all of the blame on the French-Canadians... the regular Canadians try just as hard to alienate them, just like you did with that comment. "They feel the need to always separate themselves from us," yet I see more hate coming from regular Canadians than anyone else any time that this incident is mentioned. The very first comment I saw on this page was from a Canadian guy calling her a "cunt." No wonder they want to be seen as a different entity. I can totally see that they feel that the regular Canadians want to stomp out any and all of their French heritage, which is wrong.
I wouldn't say that my comment puts "ALL" the blame on the French Canadians, but you have to acknowledge that separatism of the 2 people groups/languages whatever is mainly a francophone issue. Yes I am sure the French feel they are being overtaken, but the reality is that the majority of Canada is and has been for a long time, English. The tensions in Canada over this issue in my opinion , is the continuance of the Ancestral and ages old rivalry of the French and the English. The French-Canadians still cannot get over the fact that the English came in here and stole "New France" from them. It's what happened it can't be changed, but that is why they feel the need to over assert themselves. Always trying to make a point. I value heritage and I value culture. I hope they keep theirs alive, but there is no need for them to make it such a divisive issue. Us Anglophones particularly us in the west are still baffled by the fact that we have a bilingual law. It needs to end, live and let live. We are all Canadians. It's not that we don't accept the French, it is more a case of them being French first and Canadian second. Their loyalties will always be divided.
Katherine Smith Tell me wich of the two groups consider tehmselves as being Canadian first by looking at this map: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_Canadian#/media/File:Censusdivisions-ethnic.png (ethnicity preference/choice are given by the respondants btw) ;-)
i am from costa rica and you're right, when i went to quebec with my family we started speaking in english because at the time we didn't speak french (i do now). we thought well, they must speak a little english you know... AT LEAST the basics but oh we where wrong... when my parents starting talking, people got almost angry at us... then we started speaking in spanish and they where in awe! i was very surprised that they don't really accept english at all...
I remember that. She wanted to sing exclusively in French but later her husband convinced her singing in English she could reach a larger audience and the rest is history.
Even up to the point where in 2022 she publicly announced about her debilitating condition possibly due to being so underweight for such a long period of time. She probably should have made that announcement in french.
I am from Quebec. René was not her husband when she started singing in English and it wasn't his idea, I remember an interview when she was a teenager, she said that she wanted to sing everywhere in the world. (I was born in march 1968 just like Céline and I follow her career since 1981) Please stop writing false information.
Celine is one of a kind....from her embracing a stubborn fan and giving her a hug and trying to understand her situation contrary to what most artists do... she's remained humble and human throughout her career
This is not rude. There was a lot of talk about her singing in English. The Quebecois community did not really like it at first. And then they nominated her as an English artist and that was like a smack in the face to her...so she stood up for herself and said she wasn't an American artist...she is a Quebecois artist who also sings in English, but she will always be a Quebecker...what is wrong with that? I'm American and I see absolutely nothing wrong with it..it's not like she said "FUCK AMERICA"...she just simply said she wasn't an English artist....and she isn't..she just sings in English. Props to her for standing up for herself. The rest of you are just narrow minded Americans...get over yourselves.
It isn't Americans that are being ignorant. Most Americans don't even know that there is a separatist issue in Canada... it's Canadians that are being ignorant. America(ns) had nothing to do with this award. She was nominated as English-speaking, which she wasn't at the time; she could sing in English but didn't understand a word of what she was saying. I'm American and I don't see anything wrong with her refusing the award either. For Canada to have such a tolerant and accepting stereotype, they sure don't live up to it when it comes to accepting the Quebecois French-Canadians.
Thank you for the context. I was lost until I read your comment. She did the right thing, she didn't want to be called an "English artist," but a Quebecois artist who attained international fame through singing in English. Good for her.
Because the title of the award was "best english artist of the year". Celine is francophone and the award was a Quebec award show, in a French province. There has always been and will always be racial tensions between Quebec and the rest of Canada because of the language. She took a stand against being qualified as "English artist" and to this day in 2018, she still thinks the same way
Here's the 101 about why she is so proud. Unless you study the reason and do a little research, you may think she was being rude. I'm not really going to get into it too much, but back in the day, when they first started to colonize, the French and English (France and England) were fighting a lot for land. The French were mistreated by the English. When my grand-mother was a child, her parents (or g-parents, can't remember) changed their last name to an English one just so they would be treated equally. Because the English had a lot more pull. But anyhow, this all lead to this separateness. Especially Quebec where they are predominantly French, and they want to hold on to the little French that is left in Canada.
You do know that we need to speak english, right? And that french IS the main language in this province, therefore it's kind of necessary for you to be able to speak it fluently if you're expecting to find a job here? You don't seem to be aware either that most jobs, even shitty min. wage jobs, require to be bilingual or have a decent level in english. We'd need to learn english to keep a job anywhere else in Canada, because it's the main language, so I don't see why it'd be a problem for you to be required to speak french fluently if you wanted to work here. It'd be the same thing anywhere else, where the language is different. If you're leaving Montreal, yes, most signs are in french, and people speak french. Because they don't need english. Because our main language is french, and it's the one we speak at home, at school, and anywhere outside. It's not as multicultural as Montreal. Even if you can actually speak english, you rarely have the opportunity to do so. I know plenty of people who actually want to learn english because it's an international language and because it's often difficult to find a job if you can't speak it, but even our teachers suck. People in Quebec are not trying to ''push english completely out'', they just want their own language and culture to be respected, while people in Canada refuse to see why it's important. Thanks for generalizing and putting a whole group in the same box, and spreading false information! Also, ''they spit on the english even though Canada is a BILINGUAL country'' next to ''if you cannot speak french fluently you will never hold a stable job in Quebec'' doesn't make any sense. You said it, Canada is a bilingual country, so it'd only be faire for you to learn french if you're living in the province where people speak it.
I'm a french Canadian (from Quebec) and I totally agree with Melanie. And today here in Quebec, we continue to fight *everyday* to preserve our language in a 'english world' in North America. And here, the award was 'English Artist' and she is french. Be assured the name of that award changed since this time (the year after that), thank you Céline.
Let me understand, she refused an award that was supposed to honor an English artist because she is French and taking that award would insinuate to a layman that she is English and that would be a dishonor. We are supposed to marvel at that? Just swap the words French and English and see how a French person would feel if it was the other way around.
J'ai lu plein de commentaires et c'est navrant de lire de telles choses. Je veux juste dire merci Céline d'être fière d'être francophone ! Ici en France les gens ne sont plus très fière d'être ce qu'ils sont et c'est bien dommage !!!
Patrice...those words are a reflection of yourself. No need to disrespect CELINE. No need to give yourself a heart attack. BESIDES this happened years ago. She had every right to defend herself. Have a good life...listening to her CDs.
You dont have to buy it, its free on youtube. Plus you were stupid enough to listen to her music video and comment and respond. Hmmmm. Enjoy her music.
So now youre a wanna be frenchie?? You had to have watched many of her videos to get to that video. The fact that you respond and defend yourself shows how much you really DO LIKE CELINES MUSIC. ITS OK...WE UNDERSTAND. KEEP ENJOYING HER MUSIC.
ok i'm going to jump in here and say something...now NONE of us watching this and i mean NONE of us would understand what happened here no matter much we try to justify it...the only ONE person to understand this is Celine herself..why she did what she did on that day so many years ago..as for people saying that Celine sings in english now, lives in America now and love the money blah blah...ENGLISH is the one of the most powerful languages in the world its a second language to MOST non-english speaking Countries around the world...so she sings in english, she sings in french too but wait doesnt she have songs in spanish? gassssssssp wait she sang a song in Japanese too!!! oh now what is that called again? oh yea multilingual..this is why she can have a WORLD tour and make money all over the world just saying..the woman has TALENT get over it!!
Celine Dion was right, she is a French-Canadian Singer, she sings in English like most French Singers in Province of Quebec and around the world. Well said Celine... We are very proud of you...
The award was meant to be an insult. She gave back to those who tried to insult her by being classy and at the same time reminding them how very very small they are.
It's so cool to read this comments and watch this video, I am someone who is fluent in French now after 8 months of studying it and I had never heard a french Canadian accent. I have been warned many times that it's so different that I won't understand it from my French friends but it's not different to the point where you don't understand it. I speak other languages and the variation in the accent is quite small or maybe Celine is speaking a toned down version of quebecoise.
@@edelweiss9460 just a natural beauty.....her hair looks so lovely....all those natural curls...she always seems like such a lovely lady...so kind! Ive always found the marriage thing with Renee bit odd.... Yes they lasted untill he died but it was a but off how Renee took over her life from such an early age.... I need to go and read up on it.... They clearly loved each other and did so untill the end ☺️
It doesn't take courage, it takes knowing who you are, being aligned with your values, meaning what you say and saying what you mean. This is what freedom looks like: being unapologetically yourself. You get there when you don't look for everyone's approval and know your own worth. Hope you'll get there cause it's freeing.
Goodness me I never knew Celine Dion's career went back so far, just learned her first album was released in 1981 which would according to Wiki would have made her around 13 when she recorded it
Imagine if an English artist gets an award for Best French Singer. The organizers messed it up big time.🤣🤣 PS: Celine is so freaking proud of her language and she she should be, besides French being the most adorable language.
DIS-DOOOONC !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Whaou !!! Alors ça si c'est pas un acte politique je ne m'y entends pas !!!! Quel courage ! Ca ne s'est jamais su en France ce refus à juste titre d'ailleurs ! Bravo Madame ! Quel courage ! Je dis : châpeau bas Madame !!!
Celine Dion's decision to refuse an award underscores her commitment to her personal values and integrity. By turning down the accolade, Dion demonstrated that her principles and artistic vision take precedence over accolades. This act reflects her humility and dedication to her craft, choosing to remain true to herself and her artistic mission rather than seeking external validation.
Wow yeah and here’s to all those who think Canadian people are weak and cowardly, they are strong and fierce and use their tact and class to outwit opponents rather than force
I don't get it. She is from Quebec, canadians has nothing to do with her. Are you really trying to, again, takes what is not yours. Like this fucking country has done for the last two century?
I understand that at the time she didn’t consider herself an « English » artist, but one can’t deny that the bulk of her current fame and financial success came from her English songs and subsequent Las Vegas residency.
She still doesn't count herself as an English speaking artist. She's said for ages now that she is a bilingual artist. English maybe her main work language in America but she is a francophone none the less. It's how she identifies and it's the language she thinks in and taught her kids to speak. She also sings in French in every show. She actually does it more in Europe because French is spoken more here. It's fairly common for people to speak their native language and English and/or French in many countries. Many languages are so small we have to pick one lingua franca and stick to it for the duration of our education. Most pick English or French or even both like I did.
In fact, it is known here in Quebec that it was her husband (her boyfrind back at the time) that wanted her to do that. So no, he completely approved her.
BRAVO Céline! C'est du courage et je partage entièrement son sentiment. C' est grâce à ce genre de prise de position déterminée que nos langues Française et Québécoise peuvent rayonner.Quelques années ont passé...mais le sujet est toujours d' actualité Je ne supporte plus le déferlement de tous ce qui est anglo-saxon. Voir le dernier mariage de people en BG: tous les médias français nous ont saoulé pendant plusieurs jours avec ça; faut pas exagérer. De quoi devenir anglophobe
This was Masterfully done. One more reason she is still an amazing star. I think this was done for more than One reason and you can tell the Look on Rene face He was a Little worried. for her . But this was the right move and showed she is Not just a singer But a Star!!
Her PR people definitely prepared this as soon as they found out about the nomination. When English is your second language, and you get started singing your native tongue, your fan base feels abandoned once you start singing in English to appeal to a wider audience. She is not an English artist, she is Quebec, Canadian, so it would not have looked right for her to accept an award for that category and giving her speech in Quebeqoi was her way of saying to her fans "I am still one of you and you are my priority." She wanted them to know before anyone else how she felt and what she said. By speaking in her native language, even if you can't understand what she is saying, it should be obvious that she is not an English artist, hence why she did not take the award.
That guy at the end was like: "Do you still want the award or not?"
Joshua Jones lol 😂😂😂
Todd Justman I'm dying at your comment 😂
Joshua Jones ikr poor thing was confused
hahahaaj epic xd
Todd Justman dead 😂😂😂
People were backlashing her because they all were saying she was giving up French singing for an English career. Celine definetly took the stand big time.
this was a dumb move a verry dumb move why because she spend more than half her life on english territory singing and she is known becaus eof her english singing so yeah she is a shit of an artist bullshitter
I love how Celine is able to be able to balance singing both English and French at the same time. So excited for her new English album coming out. Loved her last French album Encore Un Soir.
she is a ugly asss anoiying singing yelling old lady with a good voice
BIGBOSSWHATITDO420 agree
BIGBOSSWHATITDO420 lay off the 420 before you type.
Celine did this with an incredible amount of grace and humility. It makes me even more proud of her.
+Christopher Bubb everything celine does is with grace. also great respect to the fact she was nt the huge star she is today. she could well at that stage been binned off. hats off to her bravery.
All because french Canadians were so sensitive and think she was ignoring her french fans cuz she was doing english albums. I swear the people of the world all need a tampon. People are so sensitive
Whatever
@@Baloneycake4114 Because that's true!!!!!😚
@@Baloneycake4114 Huh haters
I’ve never seen something done with such poise and class. Celine is so amazing and well mannered.
Crap
What an actress
@@roberthughes513 Thank you 100% Pure RACIST que CRAP!
What a beauty~ It was very sweet :3
A true role model for women. Not trash like cardiB and co.
I’ve been learning French for one year and a few months and this has been the first time I understood Celine 100%. Weeeeeeeeee
congratulations!! i've only been learning for about 7 months or so. I hope one day i can manage to understand her french also (and french in general)
lol I might make this video my motivation to learn French
Good job, but maybe the subtitles helped a bit? XD
You mean "oui"?
Si tu peux comprendre le français Québécois donc tu peux comprendre peu importe quel accent de français
A risky move that could have alienated a large audience the year of her first international album. But she showed guts! Big kudos to her for sticking to her convictions. Not sure many would do this in her shoes.
fabclaw seemed she was doing it for the attention and more publicity
@@fredther1769 how do you mean?
@@TCt83067695 she definitely does not need publicity at all I think she would just make it a statement and I think she made it proud
@@leilanisunsets1362 you're thinking now. I'm thinking then
@@TCt83067695 you shouldn't think at all tbh
Oh I thought she was going to say she couldn't accept the award because Beyonce had one of the best albums of the year
I died
😅😅😅😅
Haahhaah
Beyoncé probably wasn’t even born when she refused this award.
@@AussieFIag you don't say?
Claudette cheering for her sister not knowing that she'll refuse the awards is so bittersweet. I love Claudette. So lovely to see Céline hug her sister after.
Its not about the song being in English, its about her being considered an English artist, which she is not (and never has been). This award was for the BEST ENGLISH ARTIST. She also sang a very successful song in Japanese called "Be The Man", so should she have received an award for Best Japanese Artist? or should she have received the award for Best Spanish Artist for the wildly popular spanish version of All By Myself (Sola Otra Vez)? Or would it be appropriate for artists like Shakira or Ricky Martin to get an award for Best English Artist? Think about it.
So based on what you are saying, if Pedro Almodovar made a movie in English, then the movie would have to be entered in the best foreign movie category in the Oscars ? Pedro is a "Spanish" film director after all. Listen, awards are given based on language in the artwork. It is not based on the identity of the artist. She can accept a best English song award and STILL be a proud Quebeccer. Understand? Now GO BACK INTO YOUR HOLE.
And listen. DON'T YOU USE CONDESCENDING LANGUAGE LIKE "THINK ABOUT IT" IN MY PRESENCE. I have forgiven you this time. I won't forgive you the next time.
@@umbertlambert2113 Best English Artist and Best English Album would be two very different things. Her work was an English album, she is not, however, an English artist. It isn’t a very difficult concept to grasp. Good day.
@@umbertlambert2113 Think about it
@@umbertlambert2113 Seriously, think about it.
Good on her for standing up for herself - I love her so much and this makes me admire her even more
Her music was such a big part of my childhood. Will always have a special place in my heart....which will go on.
I started out listening to Celine Dion in English. As a linguistics student, I was interested in her work in her own language. It completely blew me away. I listen to it and go back to the translations provided on line, since I don't speak French That she took part publicly in the role to increase the respect that is due to Quebecois is something I appreciate greatly. Lastly, as an English speaker, I feel a deep sense of gratitude to the French for their critical contributions to English as we know it. Celine Dion will always occupy a respected place in my playlist of international music. Her refusal of this award was delivered with grace, and I respect her more for it
You're obvious NOT from QUE so MYOB!
@@nross6750 Your hate. You can't contain it. Chill. 🤭
Yeah~ it was STILL AMAZING
She didn't accept this award just for the sake of her French and Canadian fans.. To prove that she didn't turn her back on them when she started to singin in English language and made her first all english songs album. What a class act from Celine the Goddess of Music❤️
I admire her because she so wanted to be recognized in the right way instead of being awarded in this situation it took guts but she held her own and said her piece. My respects she is a true artist
and she proved it through the years, she always kept singing in French and alternating French with English albums
only she can say all this without getting rocks thrown at her. the who crowd is enchanted by her charm. that was so brilliantly done she could be an actress too
The organisers were being poisonous. And Celine was wise to it. They even dragged her poor sister in on it. Took guts to refuse.
You're hot!
Scott Earp
These stupid guys thought she'd never have the gutts to refuse an award... Boom!
Oh, MY goodness. That was so hard for her and she was so brave. She made me cry. I love this woman.
Olé tu koño moreno karrrmen
🤣😂😅
oh stop milking it
She was just being purely honest and was trying to do the right thing. I think she felt bad that she had to come forth on this. I admire her honesty and her talent. She could have smiled and said, "Thank you for this award (for being the best American Singer @#$*&*(@#$&* whatever.... Hats off to her for her honesty on this one.
Diana Starr Nothing to to with being american, only about being an English speaking artist
She's born in HILLBILLY que LMFAO
she is awesome,she gave example of humble, I proud of her
"Quebecer"??? I think even we Anglophones can manage "Québécoise".
And what an awesome person Celine is!
I think she is using the general form of Quebecois, as Quebecoise would indicate herself...
I like her statement. She's proud of her ethnic and she brings honour to them. I'm a Kachin.
the way she turned and looked at Réne when Caludette (her _sister_ - the nerve of l'ADISQ) said her name... so much shade. just screamed "really?"
and God she looked fantastic.
True artist! Glad she stood up for what she believed! When she grew up and matured she realized how lucky she was in this industry. Her English singing albums threw her to one on the biggest stars in history not to mention her millions she's made. This would have never been possibly singing in her native French Canadian language. She wasn't being political, she was just young.
+Irwin Wins French period.
What a F load of BS
Your comment really is ignorant.
French is a language spoken by millions of people around the world. Just because many English-speaking people don’t understand it, it doesn’t mean that this language should be despised.
France and other French-speaking countries have beautiful cultures and important musical industries.
Just because English is considered the most important language and that the Anglosphere culture is dominant in the world, it doesn’t mean that other cultures aren’t great or important as well.
I know that you made this comment 7 years ago and that it’s ridiculous to answer you several years later but I know that many people are like you and despise foreign cultures. If I can help educate people a little bit about French culture, I will do it.
By the way, millions of people love hearing Celine Dion sing in French, and not just the French. I guess that the French language can be charming and lovely, even to foreigners.
To conclude, I think Celine Dion is still proud of her culture, of Quebec, and I believe that to this day, she stands by what she said at this ceremony.
And if you think that her English albums are the only ones worth mentioning and worth listening to, you’re completely wrong.
@@saramonegier6784 they were just telling the truth to make it at an international level and to be incredibly successful especially on the level of people such as Celine you’ve got to appeal to the American market otherwise it’s 101% impossible to go global had she not of done English work it wouldn’t have happened not to that degree especially back in her day very few people make it far doing so in their own language times have slightly changed K-pop is one of the exceptions as they’ve appealed to the west (however when bts did dynamite which is a fully English record it was a hundreds times more successful) but even today it’s not often those exceptions are made the power is in the hands of the public they like what they like it’s just a fact that English work will take you further if you’re content with the possibility of not being a global star and just being big in your own country fine stick to your roots and only do that language wanna make it big time then sacrifices have to be made it’s not up for debate everyone knows it anyone in the entertainment industry who isn’t English would even tell you that be pressed all you want but that doesn’t take anything away from what simply is factual
@@saramonegier6784 I don't think anybody despises French culture just because they only know Celine Dion after she began singing in English. Just because you don't know much about a culture doesn't mean you look down upon it. She was more than allowed to celebrate where she's from and also be open to exploring more, just like we all can...and by doing so, it surely opened more doors. Especially for the fact that her career has spanned a few generations, in which media has also drastically changed, many would never have otherwise been exposed to her and her older stuff until after the exact time when she did already begin recording in English anyway as people in their 30s today didn't come to exist on earth until about then either.
My ancestors left Quebec over a century ago and came to the USA. And while I’m fortunate to be an English speaking American, I cannot help but feel as though my family lost something beautiful when my grand-père abandoned the French language.
I learned French in college and I was able to converse with my grandfather in his native tongue shortly before his death.
Same.
Her humbleness is just out of this world!!!!
she is outspoken and fearless. I admire her even more. First time to saw this video. #strongwoman
I think it is hilarious how all these Americans commenting below seem to think this has anything to with America. Clearly, you have no idea about the Canadian ethnic dynamics. In Canada, there is still a lot of tension regarding the language issue and the identity of the French-Canadians. Her refusal of this award has nothing to do with her being anti-American. It's about her being extremely French- Canadian, and being French-Canadian, they feel the need to always separate themselves from us Anglophone-Canadians. She has never represented Canada well. She represents Quebec and if you all knew anything about Canada you would know that most Quebecers view themselves as a separate country.
Don't put all of the blame on the French-Canadians... the regular Canadians try just as hard to alienate them, just like you did with that comment. "They feel the need to always separate themselves from us," yet I see more hate coming from regular Canadians than anyone else any time that this incident is mentioned. The very first comment I saw on this page was from a Canadian guy calling her a "cunt." No wonder they want to be seen as a different entity. I can totally see that they feel that the regular Canadians want to stomp out any and all of their French heritage, which is wrong.
I wouldn't say that my comment puts "ALL" the blame on the French Canadians, but you have to acknowledge that separatism of the 2 people groups/languages whatever is mainly a francophone issue. Yes I am sure the French feel they are being overtaken, but the reality is that the majority of Canada is and has been for a long time, English. The tensions in Canada over this issue in my opinion , is the continuance of the Ancestral and ages old rivalry of the French and the English. The French-Canadians still cannot get over the fact that the English came in here and stole "New France" from them. It's what happened it can't be changed, but that is why they feel the need to over assert themselves. Always trying to make a point. I value heritage and I value culture. I hope they keep theirs alive, but there is no need for them to make it such a divisive issue. Us Anglophones particularly us in the west are still baffled by the fact that we have a bilingual law. It needs to end, live and let live. We are all Canadians. It's not that we don't accept the French, it is more a case of them being French first and Canadian second. Their loyalties will always be divided.
Katherine Smith Tell me wich of the two groups consider tehmselves as being Canadian first by looking at this map: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_Canadian#/media/File:Censusdivisions-ethnic.png (ethnicity preference/choice are given by the respondants btw) ;-)
i am from costa rica and you're right, when i went to quebec with my family we started speaking in english because at the time we didn't speak french (i do now). we thought well, they must speak a little english you know... AT LEAST the basics but oh we where wrong... when my parents starting talking, people got almost angry at us... then we started speaking in spanish and they where in awe! i was very surprised that they don't really accept english at all...
I'm American I get it . I love celine dion .
I remember that. She wanted to sing exclusively in French but later her husband convinced her singing in English she could reach a larger audience and the rest is history.
Even up to the point where in 2022 she publicly announced about her debilitating condition possibly due to being so underweight for such a long period of time. She probably should have made that announcement in french.
@@millsshumps1968 Really? the women is sick, still you have problem that she should do the announcement in french? what nonsense is that?
I am from Quebec. René was not her husband when she started singing in English and it wasn't his idea, I remember an interview when she was a teenager, she said that she wanted to sing everywhere in the world. (I was born in march 1968 just like Céline and I follow her career since 1981) Please stop writing false information.
Celine is one of a kind....from her embracing a stubborn fan and giving her a hug and trying to understand her situation contrary to what most artists do... she's remained humble and human throughout her career
She has something rare in showbiz: integrity
Tegridy.
It's an award take it and move on. 200 years later no one will remember her.
@@adamsamuel8593 you are an idiot.
Now that is the way to take a stance at an awards ceremony. Great job Céline.
This is not rude. There was a lot of talk about her singing in English. The Quebecois community did not really like it at first. And then they nominated her as an English artist and that was like a smack in the face to her...so she stood up for herself and said she wasn't an American artist...she is a Quebecois artist who also sings in English, but she will always be a Quebecker...what is wrong with that? I'm American and I see absolutely nothing wrong with it..it's not like she said "FUCK AMERICA"...she just simply said she wasn't an English artist....and she isn't..she just sings in English. Props to her for standing up for herself. The rest of you are just narrow minded Americans...get over yourselves.
so she shouldn't sing english song from the beginning. T
hey award her coz she sang. what wrong with this award either.
I agree with that.
It isn't Americans that are being ignorant. Most Americans don't even know that there is a separatist issue in Canada... it's Canadians that are being ignorant. America(ns) had nothing to do with this award. She was nominated as English-speaking, which she wasn't at the time; she could sing in English but didn't understand a word of what she was saying. I'm American and I don't see anything wrong with her refusing the award either. For Canada to have such a tolerant and accepting stereotype, they sure don't live up to it when it comes to accepting the Quebecois French-Canadians.
Thank you for the context. I was lost until I read your comment. She did the right thing, she didn't want to be called an "English artist," but a Quebecois artist who attained international fame through singing in English. Good for her.
I’m late. But no doubt instructed by her manager/Rene. It was a pretty good business move.
A truly lovely lady in all respects. A brilliant but modest , intelligent and wonderful person.
And THIS is why we will ALWAYS love Celine Dion!!!! #ICON 😍😍😍😍
Celine Dion and, I will add, Dolly Parton. Two outstanding people with honesty and integrity.
The guy who was supposed to give the award was like, 'so what am I supposed to do with this?'
Exactly!
Wow!!! I never knew she did that....... RESPECT, RESPECT, RESPECT it all day! I love her! Love
wow...that took guts. Smart move....she basically told them to go fly a kite.
or ride a bike.
babz T explain why she didn’t want it I’m confused
Because the title of the award was "best english artist of the year". Celine is francophone and the award was a Quebec award show, in a French province. There has always been and will always be racial tensions between Quebec and the rest of Canada because of the language. She took a stand against being qualified as "English artist" and to this day in 2018, she still thinks the same way
WHAT AN ICON! Handled it with such class!
I wish R&B artists who aren’t R&B artists would do this. And same with other artists who accept awards for titles they don’t fit.
Here's the 101 about why she is so proud. Unless you study the reason and do a little research, you may think she was being rude. I'm not really going to get into it too much, but back in the day, when they first started to colonize, the French and English (France and England) were fighting a lot for land. The French were mistreated by the English. When my grand-mother was a child, her parents (or g-parents, can't remember) changed their last name to an English one just so they would be treated equally. Because the English had a lot more pull. But anyhow, this all lead to this separateness. Especially Quebec where they are predominantly French, and they want to hold on to the little French that is left in Canada.
You do know that we need to speak english, right? And that french IS the main language in this province, therefore it's kind of necessary for you to be able to speak it fluently if you're expecting to find a job here? You don't seem to be aware either that most jobs, even shitty min. wage jobs, require to be bilingual or have a decent level in english. We'd need to learn english to keep a job anywhere else in Canada, because it's the main language, so I don't see why it'd be a problem for you to be required to speak french fluently if you wanted to work here. It'd be the same thing anywhere else, where the language is different. If you're leaving Montreal, yes, most signs are in french, and people speak french. Because they don't need english. Because our main language is french, and it's the one we speak at home, at school, and anywhere outside. It's not as multicultural as Montreal. Even if you can actually speak english, you rarely have the opportunity to do so. I know plenty of people who actually want to learn english because it's an international language and because it's often difficult to find a job if you can't speak it, but even our teachers suck. People in Quebec are not trying to ''push english completely out'', they just want their own language and culture to be respected, while people in Canada refuse to see why it's important. Thanks for generalizing and putting a whole group in the same box, and spreading false information! Also, ''they spit on the english even though Canada is a BILINGUAL country'' next to ''if you cannot speak french fluently you will never hold a stable job in Quebec'' doesn't make any sense. You said it, Canada is a bilingual country, so it'd only be faire for you to learn french if you're living in the province where people speak it.
yourdarling666 Native Americans were in Canada? Please stay on topic.
I'm a french Canadian (from Quebec) and I totally agree with Melanie. And today here in Quebec, we continue to fight *everyday* to preserve our language in a 'english world' in North America.
And here, the award was 'English Artist' and she is french. Be assured the name of that award changed since this time (the year after that), thank you Céline.
XxKidnoffxX wait, so the award took place where? I just happened to stumble upon this video with zero knowledge about this incident.
ADISQ is a musical ceremony who took place at Montreal/Quebec/Canada.
Let me understand, she refused an award that was supposed to honor an English artist because she is French and taking that award would insinuate to a layman that she is English and that would be a dishonor. We are supposed to marvel at that? Just swap the words French and English and see how a French person would feel if it was the other way around.
J'ai lu plein de commentaires et c'est navrant de lire de telles choses. Je veux juste dire merci Céline d'être fière d'être francophone ! Ici en France les gens ne sont plus très fière d'être ce qu'ils sont et c'est bien dommage !!!
C'est pas tres different ici. Entouré de plus de 300 millions d'anglophone, l'opportunisme l'emporte facilement.
لم.اعد.اهتم.سوا.غيركوني.لوغتي
Wow what a smart and self conscious person, so rare.
Meanwhile 20 years later. Her heart did go on.
and on.
I'm proud of her for what she believes in , she has great courage and respect for her country heritage. Bless her
Patrice...those words are a reflection of yourself. No need to disrespect CELINE. No need to give yourself a heart attack. BESIDES this happened years ago. She had every right to defend herself. Have a good life...listening to her CDs.
Hahaha....As if I'm stupid enough to buy her awful music hahahah
You dont have to buy it, its free on youtube. Plus you were stupid enough to listen to her music video and comment and respond. Hmmmm. Enjoy her music.
Only a brain-dead wanna be Frenchie would listen to her garbage. Get a life :)
So now youre a wanna be frenchie?? You had to have watched many of her videos to get to that video. The fact that you respond and defend yourself shows how much you really DO LIKE CELINES MUSIC. ITS OK...WE UNDERSTAND. KEEP ENJOYING HER MUSIC.
Ha ha ha ha you are very funny. Have you ever considered a career in comedy. I would buy a ticket to come watch you on stage. Thank you for the laugh.
I'm from the states and I agree with Celine. Way to go!
She is just so classy! Love Celine!
A true jewel that is never tarnished by time. I wish all celebrities are like her
If I were her, I wouldn’t attend it if I couldn’t agree with that award title. It would be a more polite way.
Maybe because she wanted to advocate to make a change, thats why she’s went there.
Wow I love her strength, even at a young age to state something she believes in 👏🤩🥰😍🤗
She never fails to amaze me and leave me breathless.
So beautiful and so talented and oh so humble. Such a rare quality in today's world.
ok i'm going to jump in here and say something...now NONE of us watching this and i mean NONE of us would understand what happened here no matter much we try to justify it...the only ONE person to understand this is Celine herself..why she did what she did on that day so many years ago..as for people saying that Celine sings in english now, lives in America now and love the money blah blah...ENGLISH is the one of the most powerful languages in the world its a second language to MOST non-english speaking Countries around the world...so she sings in english, she sings in french too but wait doesnt she have songs in spanish? gassssssssp wait she sang a song in Japanese too!!! oh now what is that called again? oh yea multilingual..this is why she can have a WORLD tour and make money all over the world just saying..the woman has TALENT get over it!!
Calm down Junior.
Celine Dion was right, she is a French-Canadian Singer, she sings in English like most French Singers in Province of Quebec and around the world. Well said Celine... We are very proud of you...
The award was meant to be an insult. She gave back to those who tried to insult her by being classy and at the same time reminding them how very very small they are.
It's so cool to read this comments and watch this video, I am someone who is fluent in French now after 8 months of studying it and I had never heard a french Canadian accent. I have been warned many times that it's so different that I won't understand it from my French friends but it's not different to the point where you don't understand it. I speak other languages and the variation in the accent is quite small or maybe Celine is speaking a toned down version of quebecoise.
She actually looked really fierce walking to the stage
The outfit and walking was sexy
I know.....so confident, dignified ,polite and very classy!
@@edelweiss9460 just a natural beauty.....her hair looks so lovely....all those natural curls...she always seems like such a lovely lady...so kind! Ive always found the marriage thing with Renee bit odd.... Yes they lasted untill he died but it was a but off how Renee took over her life from such an early age.... I need to go and read up on it.... They clearly loved each other and did so untill the end ☺️
She’s an Aries! Bound
Publicity stunt !!!
Why go and attend the event and not accept the award. I think she was just trying to make a statement.
A class act all the way. Céline you did the Québécois so proud!
She made the French proud too !!! At least, she had touched us
I wish I had the courage of Celine and others like her that stood up for what they believe.
It doesn't take courage, it takes knowing who you are, being aligned with your values, meaning what you say and saying what you mean. This is what freedom looks like: being unapologetically yourself. You get there when you don't look for everyone's approval and know your own worth.
Hope you'll get there cause it's freeing.
Vive le Québec, vive le Québec libre!
Goodness me I never knew Celine Dion's career went back so far, just learned her first album was released in 1981 which would according to Wiki would have made her around 13 when she recorded it
She won Eurovision in 1988 for Switzerland
She just gained more respect from me. Vive toujours Celine Dion! ❤
Class act thru & thru.
I’m so glad I grew up with Celine, Whitney, Mariah, Lara.
Imagine if an English artist gets an award for Best French Singer. The organizers messed it up big time.🤣🤣 PS: Celine is so freaking proud of her language and she she should be, besides French being the most adorable language.
DIS-DOOOONC !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Whaou !!! Alors ça si c'est pas un acte politique je ne m'y entends pas !!!! Quel courage !
Ca ne s'est jamais su en France ce refus à juste titre d'ailleurs !
Bravo Madame ! Quel courage ! Je dis : châpeau bas Madame !!!
That's a queen For you, always Classy Celine
Why even go to the awards if she was going to do this ?
She has a point tho. Literally a queen
This just show how proud where she came from ❤ I love Celine.
What’s more? She actually did it. She kept making incredible French records.
she shd have just stayed i quebec... what a fake!!!!
Right on girl!!!
This lady has always been lovely.
I'm emotional!!!!! I always love her so much 💕💕🙏🙏
She does not have to say all that crap.she is an international superstar!
She is now, but this took place back in 1991.
She wasn't at that time.
And this is why Americans never offered her a music award again.
Wow it's really deep what that young Céline dion did there
Celine Dion's decision to refuse an award underscores her commitment to her personal values and integrity. By turning down the accolade, Dion demonstrated that her principles and artistic vision take precedence over accolades. This act reflects her humility and dedication to her craft, choosing to remain true to herself and her artistic mission rather than seeking external validation.
This is EXACTLY what Bruce (Caitlyn) Jenner should have done with the Woman of The Year award. In my opinion 🤷🏽♀️
Wow yeah and here’s to all those who think Canadian people are weak and cowardly, they are strong and fierce and use their tact and class to outwit opponents rather than force
I don't get it. She is from Quebec, canadians has nothing to do with her. Are you really trying to, again, takes what is not yours. Like this fucking country has done for the last two century?
Yes, canadians are wusses. Otherwise, other provinces would have separate.
A very confused country, wish they would get more facts before committing themselves.....
@@fredther1769 wtf do you even mean,Québec is IN Canada...
@@leocadieux6781 didnt say otherwise, did you even read my comment?
You could see that old manager / husband told her to say that . Just grandstanding
She is world class!! ❤❤❤
WOW I never knew she did this I fkt thin any artist would even think of doing this now she is truly amazing 💜
I understand that at the time she didn’t consider herself an « English » artist, but one can’t deny that the bulk of her current fame and financial success came from her English songs and subsequent Las Vegas residency.
like honestly 🤦♀️ people are so delusional
english-speaking artist
She still doesn't count herself as an English speaking artist. She's said for ages now that she is a bilingual artist. English maybe her main work language in America but she is a francophone none the less. It's how she identifies and it's the language she thinks in and taught her kids to speak. She also sings in French in every show. She actually does it more in Europe because French is spoken more here. It's fairly common for people to speak their native language and English and/or French in many countries. Many languages are so small we have to pick one lingua franca and stick to it for the duration of our education. Most pick English or French or even both like I did.
She was so humble and cool when she was so young too! Wow
René was so damn proud of her
I didn't realize that her voice is husky. I guess that's the reason I fell in love with her voice. I'm amazed with husky voice female singer 🥰
Girls in that time dressed so beautiful
This is the first time I’ve seen this.
What I believe the award was for is an artist/singer who just sing songs in English.
I don't get it. Why did she go to the awards ceremony?
You can tell that her manager/husband was not pleased with her decision based on his facial expressions, but let her do what she wanted I suppose.
In fact, it is known here in Quebec that it was her husband (her boyfrind back at the time) that wanted her to do that. So no, he completely approved her.
BRAVO Céline! C'est du courage et je partage entièrement son sentiment. C' est grâce à ce genre de prise de position déterminée que nos langues Française et Québécoise peuvent rayonner.Quelques années ont passé...mais le sujet est toujours d' actualité Je ne supporte plus le déferlement de tous ce qui est anglo-saxon. Voir le dernier mariage de people en BG: tous les médias français nous ont saoulé pendant plusieurs jours avec ça; faut pas exagérer. De quoi devenir anglophobe
Quelle humilité !
Courage!
Wow, you foresaw her album!
This was Masterfully done. One more reason she is still an amazing star. I think this was done for more than One reason and you can tell the Look on Rene face He was a Little worried. for her . But this was the right move and showed she is Not just a singer But a Star!!
This is ICONIC
Her PR people definitely prepared this as soon as they found out about the nomination. When English is your second language, and you get started singing your native tongue, your fan base feels abandoned once you start singing in English to appeal to a wider audience. She is not an English artist, she is Quebec, Canadian, so it would not have looked right for her to accept an award for that category and giving her speech in Quebeqoi was her way of saying to her fans "I am still one of you and you are my priority." She wanted them to know before anyone else how she felt and what she said. By speaking in her native language, even if you can't understand what she is saying, it should be obvious that she is not an English artist, hence why she did not take the award.