Celine Dion resumed her Vegas residency at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace Tuesday night (Oct. 3), reports Billboard.com. Before her concert began, she appeared on stage to give an emotional speech addressing Sunday night’s horrific mass shooting, the deadliest in modern American history, at the Route 91 Harvest country music festival on the Las Vegas Strip.
“I never start a show like this, standing in front of the curtain, just talking. But tonight is very different,” Dion began.
“After Sunday night’s incredibly tragic event, all of us here find ourselves asking a similar question: For you, it’s ‘Do we still go to Celine’s show on Tuesday night, only two days after the nightmare? For me, it’s ‘Can I still do my show? Should I still do my show, only two days after the nightmare?’ These are difficult questions, but I want you to know that you have made the right choice in being here tonight, and the reason that I decided to do this show so soon is more than to just sing. It is to show love and support for those who are affected,” she said.
“On Sunday, we lost too many beautiful, innocent souls, and so many are still suffering,” said Dion. “But tonight we’re going to let these families know that we are supporting them and that we will help them through their tragic loss. They are going to need a lot of love, a ton of emotional support, as well as a great deal of financial aid.”
She went on to make an announcement that brought on a standing ovation from her audience: “I want you to know that the proceeds for tonight’s show are being donated to the victims’ families on your behalf.”
Watch a video of her speech below. Dion’s show continues this week, with performances on Oct. 4, 6 and 7.
