Céline Dion fans staged a passionate protest outside Rolling Stone’s New York City office on January 6 after the publication excluded the Canadian singer from its recent “200 Greatest Singers of All Time” list. The decision to leave Dion out of the prestigious list sparked widespread outrage, with fans and notable figures expressing disbelief on social media.
The list, released on New Year’s Day, featured iconic artists like Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, and modern stars such as Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish. However, the omission of the five-time Grammy Award winner left many scratching their heads, leading to a wave of reactions from both fans and industry professionals alike.
One vocal critic, songwriter Diane Warren, took to Twitter, stating, “Really??? A list of greatest singers @RollingStone and #CelineDion isn’t on it??” The day after, ABC News journalist Deborah Roberts tweeted in response, “Call me crazy… but WHAT???” highlighting the disbelief shared by many fans.
Demonstrating their unwavering support for the artist, fans calling themselves “The Red Heads” gathered outside Rolling Stone’s headquarters in protest. The group’s leader, Line Basbous, addressed the publication directly, telling Rolling Stone reporter Ilana Woldenberg, “You made a big mistake forgetting her name on the list. We wanted to make sure you understand you missed the best singer in the world.” Basbous insisted, “She should be the first name on your list.”
Dion’s exclusion from the list comes at a particularly challenging time in her career, as the singer continues to battle health issues. In December 2022, she publicly shared that she had been diagnosed with Stiff-Person Syndrome, a rare neurological disorder that affects her ability to walk and use her vocal cords. This revelation came after Dion was forced to postpone several European tour dates.
In an emotional Instagram video, Dion explained the challenges she had been facing, stating, “I’ve been dealing with problems with my health for a long time, and it’s been really difficult for me to face these challenges and talk about everything I’ve been going through.” Despite the setbacks, Dion expressed hope for her recovery, stating, “I have a great team of doctors working alongside me to help me get better, and I’m working hard every day to regain my strength and ability to perform again.”
As fans rallied in support, many felt that Rolling Stone’s decision to overlook Dion was a disservice to her legacy and vocal talent. Despite this controversy, Dion’s supporters remain hopeful that she will continue to recover and reclaim her rightful place as one of the greatest vocalists in music history.