People We Love 2016: Celine Dion

Celine Dion had some happy moments to celebrate this year.

She helped gay YouTube sensation Tyler Oakley launch his new Ellen Degeneres-backed show (offering him a buzzed-about smooch) and celebrated her thousandth performance in Las Vegas at the Colosseum at Caesar’s Palace. In less good news, the year started in heartbreak when she lost both husband René Angelil and brother Daniel Dion to cancer a mere two days apart. Whatever your feelings about Dion’s rafter shaking voice and big ballads, the loss seemed overwhelming — certainly more than anyone should ever be asked to sing “My Heart Will Go On” after. Nevertheless Dion did go on and late this summer, she released her first new album in four years. Sung entirely in her native French and designed to reflect on the dual loss with uplifting themes, the album was appropriately entitled Encore un Soir (“One More Night”).

Looking for inspiration? Looking Back on the Heroes of Marriage Equality.

For more People We Love:

2017
Ryan Murphy
Danica Roem
Lena Waithe
Difficult People
Nick Jonas
Sean Coleman
The Makers of One Day at a Time
Sam Smith
Valerie Weisler
Kathy Tu & Tobin Low
Matt Tumminello
Naomi Watts
Randy Rainbow
Cheyenne Jackson
Edith Windsor
Brian Rafferty
Pink

2016
Tom Ford
Ryan Reynolds
President Barack Obama
Makers of Crazy Ex Girlfriend
Lee Pace
Sarah Paulson
Celine Dion
The Wachowski Sisters
Chelsea Handler
Lady Gaga
Laverne Cox

2015
Lily Tomlin
Eddie Redmayne
Creators of Fun Home
Creators of Carol
Charles Leslie
Caitlyn Jenner
Lin Manuel Miranda
Creators of Empire
Susan Sarandon
John Oliver
Grace Jones