Celine Dion paid tribute to those affected by the Paris attacks during the 2015 American Music Awards at L.A.’s Microsoft Theater on Sunday, Nov. 22. The powerhouse singer, 47, gave an emotional rendition of the classic Edith Piaf song “Hymne à L’Amour” in French.
Dion sang with a live orchestra as images from Paris flashed across the screen behind her. Several audience members broke down in tears.
Dion’s set was announced earlier this week by the show’s producer, Larry Klein. “We felt it was important to show our solidarity in light of the recent events in Paris and all around the world,” he said in a statement at the time. “Celine’s performance will help us express our feelings through song when words do not suffice.”
Dion was introduced by Jared Leto on Sunday night. The Oscar-winning actor and Thirty Seconds to Mars rocker, 43, gave a moving speech about the tragedy, which killed at least 130 people on Nov. 13. (On Nov. 19, alleged terrorist ringleader Abdelhamid Abaaoud was killed during a police raid.)
“Many of us here are the sons and daughters of immigrants,” he said, before mentioning Steve Jobs and President Barack Obama. “The entire world matters and peace is possible.”
Watch Dion’s performance in the video above.