This past Friday, the Trump campaign played “My Heart Will Go On”, one of artist Celine Dion’s many hits, at a Trump and Vance rally in Bozeman, Montana. According to the singer herself, however, the use of the song was “unauthorized”, KATV says.
On Saturday, statements were posted on Celine Dion’s X and Instagram that said the following:
“Today, Celine Dion’s management team and her record label, Sony Music Entertainment Canada Inc., became aware of the unauthorized usage of the video recording, musical performance, and likeness of Celine Dion singing ‘My Heart Will Go On’ at a Donald Trump/JD Vance campaign rally in Montana. In no way is this use authorized and Celine Dion does not endorse this or any similar use”.
Dion also made fun of the song choice, adding “Really, THAT song?” to the end of the statement.
What ABC7 News called a “romantic ballad”, “My Heart Will Go On” is considered “one of the best-selling singles of all time” and was used as the theme song for James Cameron’s 1997 film “Titanic”. With all this in mind, it’s not a stretch to say that choosing this song was odd for a political campaign.
Almost two years after revealing her diagnosis of stiff person syndrome, Celine Dion made a comeback performance at the Eiffel Tower during the opening ceremony for the 2024 Paris Olympics, singing Edith Piaf’s “L’Hymne à l’amour”.
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke defines stiff person syndrome as “a rare, progressive syndrome that affects the nervous system, specifically the brain and spinal cord”.
The events and the response add Celine Dion to the growing list of musicians who have objected to the Trump campaign using their music. According to KATV, other artists accused the Trump campaign of doing this, including the estate of Sinéad O’Connor, Phil Collins, Panic! At the Disco’s Brendon Urie, Elton John, and Neil Young.
ABC7 has added Rihanna, the Rolling Stones, Ozzy Osbourne, Queen, and the estate of George Harrison to this list.
The Trump campaign has yet to respond to what Dion has said.
