On April 30, 1988, Céline Dion won Eurovision by a single point. A moment that launched her to international stardom…
Eurovision is headed back to its birthplace with Basel, Switzerland hosting the song contest for the 69th edition. The Swiss last hosted in 1989, after future global superstar and queer icon Céline Dion won the year prior with the song “Ne partez pas sans moi” (Don’t Leave Without Me).
Her victory was one of the narrowest wins in the song contest’s history and was the last French language song to win. But how did the relatively unknown Céline end up competing on Europe’s biggest stage in Dublin? Let’s take a trip back to the 1980s.
A Québécois star on the brink of greatness
Céline remembers being baffled when asked to represent Switzerland at the age of 20. “First of all I received a call…they wanted me to go to Ireland and they wanted me to represent Switzerland as a French Canadian Québécois…I didn’t get it,” she told Jonathan Ross in a 2013 interview. Céline was unsure how the Swiss would react to her representing them, given she was relatively unknown in the country.
While a household name in Québec since the early ‘80s, Céline only had a minor hit in France with her song “D’amour ou d’amitié.” She was barely known in Europe and was just being introduced to English Canada before Eurovision.
The late ‘80s introduced a new Céline according to Thomas LeBlanc, host of CBC’s Céline Understood. In 1987, after a year’s absence, she returned to the spotlight with a redefining image and a fire to take her career to the next level. “She learns English…she has surgery, she has a new look and has a new sound that is dance pop,” he shares about her return.
While Céline was not Swiss, the songwriters (Atilla Sereftug and Nella Martinetti) of “Ne partez pas sans moi” were and therefore the entry qualified to compete. “It was a very strange adventure for me,” she admitted.
An unforgettable introduction with a thrilling end
Reflecting on her time at Eurovision, Céline said she felt like a horse. “Let me elaborate,” she told Jonathan Ross after making the comparison. “You can bet on the artist that you want to win. So my husband [then manager René Angélil], a gambler, bet on me.” Needless to say, the bet paid off.
Céline performed onstage in her now iconic white double-breasted blazer and tutu with nude tights – a look reigning champion Nemo recreated. “In her fashion, Céline likes to mix the feminine and the masculine,” LeBlanc observes.
In the performance, Céline didn’t utilize the stage. She stood in one spot as the camera grabbed wide and close shots of her. Occasionally, when the camera focused on her face, Céline made direct eye contact and showed her passion. After the performance, she waited with the Swiss delegation for the jury votes.
Eurovision 1988, consisted only of jury votes from 21 countries as opposed to the jury and public voting model today. Each country distributes points (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10 or 12) to the entries they liked – minus their own.
After receiving votes from 20 countries, the United Kingdom was the frontrunner with 136 points and Switzerland was in second with 131 points. When the former Yugoslavia awarded its six points to Switzerland, the country was one point ahead of the UK.
At that moment, gasps overtook the venue with many assuming the UK was about to win. The camera panned to Céline who had a disappointed look on her face, likely believing she lost.
Not receiving Yugoslavia’s 7, 8 or 10 points, it was assumed the 12 points would be given to the UK. Then the announcer said, “And finally…France.” The crowd erupted into cheers and Céline was in tears. She had won. (Watch Céline’s winning moment right here!)
A turning point in her career
Céline’s Eurovision appearance and win would catapult her career, and personal life, to new heights. Eager to capitalize on her success, The Best of Céline Dion was released in Europe days after the Grand Final. The album led with her winning Eurovision track along with songs from her catalogue thus far. She also embarked on a promotional tour across the continent.
Her win was also rumoured to be the start of her relationship with René Angélil, her manager and late husband. “The story is that the night she won, they kissed for the first time…They started this secret relationship apparently…That’s what we’ve been told,” Leblanc tells IN Magazine.
While LeBlanc says Eurovision is part of her fairytale, he believes she was always destined to succeed. “I think they would’ve figured out a different way. I don’t think if she had lost, there wouldn’t be a European career.”
Will we see Céline at the Grand Final in Basel?
With a failed attempt to reunite ABBA live on stage last year, many are hoping Céline will perform in Basel.
“She clearly wants to do something and come back,” LeBlanc says. “She needs a platform that’s as elevated as she is. That’s why the Olympics were so great. There are not that many platforms like that anymore, so Eurovision might be one.”
Executive producers for the song contest have confirmed discussions with the songstress saying her appearance depends on “whether she feels fit enough” to perform.
Here’s hoping Céline surprises us all on May 17. We’ll manifest a reprisal of “Ne partez pas sans moi” or a duet with Belgian-Canadian singer Lara Fabian – a connection true Eurovision fans will understand.
The Eurovision Grand Final will happen on Saturday, May 17, 2025. Canadians can tune in at 3:00 p.m. EST (12:00 p.m. PST) on Eurovision’s YouTube Channel.
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