by Celine Dion’s Rejected Roles: Films the Iconic Singer Turned Down
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Celine Dion is one of the best-selling music artists of all time with over 200 million records sold worldwide. But did you know the iconic singer has also turned down roles in several major Hollywood films during her career?
While Dion is best known for her powerhouse vocals and emotional ballads, she has expressed interest in pursuing acting over the years. However, many of the film roles offered to her ultimately did not align with her artistic vision.
Here are some of the major films Celine Dion rejected over the past few decades:
Titanic (1997)
Dion turned down the role of Kate Winslet’s character Rose in Titanic. The singer revealed in a 2001 interview that director James Cameron offered her the lead female role but she declined.
Dion explained that she “wasn’t ready” to take on such a big acting job at the time. Titanic went on to become the highest-grossing film of all time up to that point and launched Winslet’s international acting career.
The Bodyguard (1992)
Dion passed on starring as Rachel Marron, the role that ultimately went to Whitney Houston, in The Bodyguard. The film’s producers reportedly wanted Dion for the lead female role but she turned it down.
Dion revealed in a 2016 interview that she felt the role required an actress “who was ready to do her first acting job” whereas she wanted to focus on her music at the time. Houston’s version of the song “I Will Always Love You” became a massive hit and one of the best-selling singles of all time.
Moulin Rouge! (2001)
Baz Luhrmann, the director of Moulin Rouge!, wanted Dion to sing the film’s signature song “Nature Boy.” However, Dion declined to record the track. Nicole Kidman ultimately starred in the film and Madonna recorded “What Fill’s the Void” for the soundtrack instead.
Dion revealed that she loved the Moulin Rouge! story and music but felt the role of Satine required a younger actress who was available for the long shoot. Dion said at the time she had to prioritize her Las Vegas residency performances.
Pretty Woman (1990)
Dion was offered a role in Pretty Woman but turned it down. Producers reportedly wanted Dion to play the role of Vivian, the Hollywood prostitute with a heart of gold that ultimately launched Julia Robert’s career.
However, Dion felt the role was not right for her and she wanted to focus on her blossoming music career at the time. Pretty Woman went on to become one of the most successful romantic comedies of all time.
Other Roles
Dion has also reportedly turned down roles in:
• Sliding Doors starring Gwyneth Paltrow
• The Mask starring Jim Carrey
• Breakfast at Tiffany’s remake
• The Hunchback of Notre Dame remake
In each case, Dion felt the roles did not align with her artistic vision or she wanted to prioritize her music. Dion has said that while she enjoys acting, she remains most passionate about singing and performing for her fans
So while we never got to see Celine Dion act in some of the biggest films of the last few decades, her decision to remain focused on her music career has undoubtedly helped her become the iconic singer she is today. Dion’s story shows that knowing when to say no can be just as important as knowing when to say yes.
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