For even the world’s biggest stars, some moments are simply too surreal. In 1997, Celine Dion—already an international powerhouse with one of the most iconic voices in music—stepped into the recording studio with her lifelong idol, Barbra Streisand. The result was the soaring duet “Tell Him,” a highlight of Dion’s chart-topping album Let’s Talk About Love—and, as Dion herself recalls decades later, the fulfillment of a dream she barely dared to voice.

From Quebec Prodigy to Collaborator With Legends

Born in Quebec in 1968, Dion’s ascent from local prodigy to global superstar was swift: a Eurovision win in 1988, a steady rise through the ’90s, and hit after hit that made her a household name. Yet through it all, Dion remained an unabashed fan of music’s greatest voices—especially Streisand and the opera legend Luciano Pavarotti. These were the artists she grew up emulating, the voices that shaped her own.

So when the opportunity came to share a studio with them, Dion was awestruck. Reflecting on the 27th anniversary of “Tell Him” in a 2024 social media post, she admitted, “Never in a million years would I have thought or had the guts to ask to sing a duet with Barbra Streisand. Never.” It was a confession that revealed not just her deep humility, but the emotional weight of the moment. Despite her own status, Dion felt the nerves of any fan meeting their idol—“She couldn’t even ask her.”

“Tell Him” and the Legacy of Let’s Talk About Love

Let’s Talk About Love, released in November 1997, is legendary for more than just Dion’s Titanic anthem “My Heart Will Go On.” The album is a constellation of collaborations, featuring some of music’s brightest stars. But “Tell Him,” the lush, emotionally charged duet with Streisand, became an instant classic—an emblem of two generations of vocal greatness intertwining.

The album’s collaborative magic didn’t stop there. Dion joined forces with Luciano Pavarotti for “I Hate You Then I Love You,” a dynamic pairing that was immortalized not just in the studio but live on stage at the 1998 Pavarotti & Friends charity concert in Italy. Shortly after, Dion would also record “The Prayer” with Andrea Bocelli—further proof of her reverence for working alongside the giants of music.

Humility Amid Global Fame

Let’s Talk About Love went on to sell more than 31 million copies worldwide, but for Dion, its true legacy may be more personal. In the rare air of super-stardom, she still felt the giddiness of a fan invited into her heroes’ world. The story of those sessions captures the humility of an artist who, even at her peak, never lost her awe for the legends she admired.

Looking back, Celine Dion’s collaboration with Barbra Streisand remains a testament to the dreams that propel artists forward—and to the enduring power of music to bridge generations, genres, and even the gap between idol and admirer. It’s a rare, heartfelt glimpse into a superstar’s most starstruck moment, and a reminder that the greatest voices in music are often also the most humble.