Celine Dion spent years inspiring Lauren Daigle without knowing it. Then Dion played “You Say” for her followers, and Daigle discovered that the singer who shaped her childhood dream had been listening to her music.
The unexpected connection left Daigle emotional. It also prompted her to reveal the prayer she had already been praying for Dion.
Celine Dion Includes Lauren Daigle on Her Repeat Playlist
Dion shared a personal Spotify collection titled “My Playlist (On Repeat)”. The playlist includes songs from Rihanna, Metallica, James Blunt, Guy Sebastian and Lauren Daigle.
Daigle’s “You Say” appears second on the playlist, immediately after Rihanna’s “Love on the Brain.”
In an Instagram video promoting the playlist, Dion lip-synced to several of her selections. One of those moments featured “You Say,” the crossover hit that became one of the most successful Christian songs in recent history.
The song previously set a record on Billboard’s Hot Christian Songs chart and earned multiple platinum certifications. ChurchLeaders covered the song’s remarkable run when “You Say” received its second platinum certification.
Lauren Daigle Calls the Moment an ‘Honor’
After her manager sent her Dion’s video, Daigle posted an emotional response on Instagram.
Daigle explained that she often keeps important career moments away from social media because she considers them “little sacred touches” that she wants to treasure privately. This moment felt different.
“And I just want to say, Celine Dion, what an honor. What an honor,” Daigle said.
Daigle then revealed that she had previously prayed for Dion while the singer dealt with stiff-person syndrome, a rare neurological disorder that can cause muscle stiffness and painful spasms. Dion has spoken openly about the condition and its effect on her voice, mobility and performing career, including in the documentary “I Am: Celine Dion.”
Daigle said she had asked God to bring Dion comfort through her music and to touch her body amid everything she was facing.
“My heart, it just longed to give you a big ole hug and say, ‘You’re going to make it through,’” Daigle said.
How Celine Dion Inspired Lauren Daigle to Sing
The connection goes back to Daigle’s childhood.
When Daigle was in kindergarten, she overheard another child being asked what he wanted to become when he grew up. No one asked Daigle the question, but she could not stop thinking about her answer.
She would lie beside the radio at home and wait for Dion’s songs to play. This was during the height of “My Heart Will Go On,” Dion’s signature song from “Titanic.”
“I remember laying down next to the radio and saying, ‘I want to be a singer one day,’” Daigle recalled.
Daigle said Dion’s passionate delivery showed her what was possible through music.
“I believe our gifts are from God, and they’re for the glory of God,” Daigle said. “But your gift inspired something in me. It brought something to life in me.”
Dion’s performances became part of Daigle’s informal vocal education. Daigle said she spent countless hours listening to Dion and studying how she communicated a song.
The influence remained even as Daigle built a career that reached both Christian and mainstream audiences. She has since spoken candidly about the pressure of being a Christian artist with crossover appeal and how public expectations affected her creative voice after “Look Up Child.”
Lauren Daigle Invites Celine Dion to Collaborate
Daigle told Dion that her voice still inspires her to work harder.
“The brilliance of your communication and the way that you deliver a song is unreal,” Daigle said. “I am deeply honored that you would include me in your playlist.”
She ended her message with an invitation.
“If you ever want to collab, let me know,” Daigle said.
Neither artist has announced a collaboration. Still, the exchange created a striking full-circle moment. Dion’s voice helped a young Daigle imagine becoming a singer. Decades later, Dion was publicly enjoying the song that introduced millions of listeners to Daigle’s message about finding identity in what God says.
Daigle has repeatedly connected her public platform to her Christian faith. While speaking with ChurchLeaders at the Dove Awards, she urged believers to tell the truth and use their gifts faithfully.