Hundreds of fans and curious passersby packed Montreal’s busiest shopping street on Wednesday afternoon to catch a glimpse of superstar Céline Dion.
The chanteuse was back home to launch her collection of handbags and accessories at Browns Shoes (and to confirm she’ll release an English album next year).
Dressed in pink, Dion spoke — in English and French — to reporters inside the store about her life since the death early last year of husband René Angélil.
“I went through a lot and I’m not the only one,” she said.
“I’ve always been passionate about music and creating things. But after a big loss, I feel like I’m alive. That I can take chances and go for it. And I really think René gave me so much strength when he finally said I’m going to let go, I’m going to stop suffering.”
Dion, who described herself as “very happy,” dodged questions about her love life now, specifically whether her heart has gone on with Pepe Muñoz, who is 17 years her junior.
“I’m 49. I’ll be 50 soon, which is my lucky number, and, yeah, maybe it’s true that 50 is the new 25,” she said. “I like it. It’s not a matter of numbers. It’s a question of quality and it’s a matter of how you feel.”
Dion also stressed that she’s in charge of her life and career. “C’est moi le boss,” she said. “I am the boss.”