China Central Television (CCTV) today confirmed the buzz in the entertainment industry that international pop diva Celine Dion will indeed perform a Chinese classic at its grand gala to celebrate the Chinese New Year.
The CCTV statement read that, "Celine Dion, one of the best selling female singers in the world, whose career has spanned from the 1990's up to now, will join CCTV's Spring Festival Gala."
The statement further added, "Besides singing her classic 'My Heart Will Go On' from the blockbuster movie 'Titanic,' Celine Dion will also sing a duet-version of the traditional Chinese classic 'Jasmine Flower' with Chinese folk diva Song Zuying."
Chinese producer Gao Xiaosong admitted to helping Dion prepare for "Jasmine Flower" at a studio in the United States weeks ago. It is not surprising that "My Heart Will Go On" will be sung as the 3D re-release of "Titanic" was a 2012 cultural phenomenon in China, raking in 975 million yuan (US$156.45 million) at the box office. The water curtain which Dion used to perform the song in Las Vegas will hopefully be replicated and brought onto the gala's stage.
Dion is just one of several foreign artists, and the first international megastar, to be invited onto the center stage of China's most important annual gala, which will be watched by about one billion Chinese people. Her performance may compensate the departure of China's most popular comedian Zhao Benshan and Hong Kong superstar Jacky Cheung.
Chinese pop acts Sun Nan, Yang Kun, Jane Zhang, S.H.E., Leehom Wang, Na Ying; folk singers Song Zuying, Tan Jin, Li Guyi and Chinese rocker Wang Feng; as well as pianist Li Yundi, and hugely popular comedian Guo Degang will also appear during the CCTV's Spring Festival Gala, which falls on Feb. 9 this year.
A few big international names will also appear at China's local TV networks' galas, such as the Backstreet Boys who will perform on China's Liaoning Province Television's Spring Festival Gala and "Gangnam Style" singer Psy, who is set for Shanghai's Dragon TV's Spring Festival Gala with Taiwanese supermodel Lin Chi-ling.
