Goddess in a gold suit wows Kiwi fans

Seeing Celine Dion live was nothing short of a religious experience — or at least, that’s the phrase that was on many fans’ lips as the iconic singer took to the stage.

Spark Arena was packed full of thousands of fans at the weekend, warmed up by impressionist Veronic DiClaire, whose renditions of hits by the likes of Whitney Houston and Christina Aguilera earned her a standing ovation and raucous applause.

But when Celine appeared in a golden suit, silhouetted in a single spotlight for her opener

the entire mood shifted. Religious experience or not, people started acting as if in church, raising and waving their hands as she hit one power note after the next with ease. As she spoke, fans shouted “yes Celine!” like they were supporting a passionate preacher. And boy did she preach. At one point she gave what must have been a 10-minute monologue about Ryan Reynolds which was utterly nonsensical in the most endearing way. She also spoke at length about her children, her late husband and her tour, and about her long absence from New Zealand. “Well, we made it. We made it back here and it feels so amazing. I cannot believe it’s been 22 years national anthem.

Celine is an extraordinary powerhouse, an incredible entertainer and one of the most genuine artists I’ve seen take the stage, even when she’s so obviously showing off.

And why shouldn’t she?

She didn’t miss a beat or flub a note and she made it all look effortless. Everything from her band to her wardrobe to her set, visuals and lighting were world class.

As the capacity crowd stood and cheered at the end of the show, Celine looked genuinely awed, shaking her head and covering her face as if she may cry. Around me, people were in tears.

“I’m sorry that it took me 22 years to come back . . . I hope it never happens again because what you gave tonight, we are going home with this in [our hearts].

“We will never forget what you gave to us . . . thank you so very much,” she said.