Celine Dion at Paris Olympics: The performance's price tag

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(NewsNation) — The 2024 Paris Olympics are set to be one of the most expensive ever, with preparation costs exceeding $8.2 billion, and total costs set to blow past $12 billion. To date, the Tokyo Olympics were the most expensive, racking in at $20 billion, but the Paris numbers are just provisional. The real costs always rack up after the games have been concluded.

Part of the high costs? The talent.

Celine Dion is set to make $2 million for her first performance since her public diagnosis with Stiff Person’s Syndrome.

But part of Dion’s deal isn’t just her fee.

As TMZ reported: The Olympics is footing the bill for travel, and — between jets, her large family, boats and other expenses — “They’re paying a ton of money. Ridiculous amount,” a source told the outlet.

The price tag for Celine Dion’s Olympics performance

So how much? The total bill will be around $4 million.

A private jet that can hold Dion, her three children, aides, and healthcare professional, will cost around $500,000 round trip from Las Vegas to Paris. In addition, there are the hotels; high end suites at the George V, the Plaza Athenee and the Mandarin Oriental start at $25,000 a night. Dion is likely spending a week in Paris (she arrived Monday and performs Friday) which will cost $175,000 (before tax and without food or drink charges)… just for her. For her and her entourage, the bill will likely be over $500,000.

Then private security, hair and makeup, costuming, dressers, and other costs add up quickly.

Celine Dion’s Vegas comeback

But many say Dion is worth it, and it’s good practice for her Vegas comeback later this year.

As I reported last month, talks are already underway with Resorts World for her to take back her Vegas throne as Queen of the Strip. 

“Celine has a deal with AEG at Resorts World — they essentially built that theater for her,” my Vegas source said. “They say 90% of (her SPS attacks) is mental. So if she can overcome that…”

“She is considering doing some dates at Resorts World under her deal, which would make sense,” my source added. “With today’s technology, she could easily do a show that has limited movement and enough vocal support to make it through a 75-to-90-minute show.”

Celebrities attending the Paris Olympics

But it’s not just Celine raking it in. Steven Spielberg, who charges an upfront fee of $10 million per movie, is producing an epic, four-minute opening film for NBC (while I’m sure he got a discount for his short film, he also has to fly private, have suites and security), and others like Lady Gaga will also command millions. The other expensive celebrities attending on behalf of the Olympics and NBC? Snoop Dogg, Colin Jost, Kevin Hart, Leslie Jones, Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively and Priyanka Chopra.

Let’s hope it’s worth the expense for Paris and NBC.

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