Celine Dion cries when son presents her with the Billboard Icon Award

LAS VEGAS, May 23 (UPI) -- Celine Dion's 15-year-old son Rene-Charles Angelil presented the recording superstar with the Billboard Icon Award in Las Vegas Sunday night.

Dion, 48, had just finished a powerful rendition of her poignant song "The Show Must Go On" when presenter Seal told her the eldest of her three children was coming out to hand her the statuette.

"I'm so sorry. I'm sorry for crying. I want to be so strong for my family and my kids and I didn't expect that. I am so sorry. I don't want to cry in front of you. You make me so happy," she told her son. "Do you mind just standing next to me?"

"Sure, yeah," the boy replied, holding her hand.

"Thank you very much," she said, before paying tribute to violinist Lindsey Stirling, who performed alongside her during the awards ceremony.

"This is such a tremendous honor, of course. You know, music has been my passion since before I can almost remember. So many people have helped me get where I am today. I cannot name them all, obviously," said the star, who was wearing a stunning, gold and silver, metallic, one-shouldered gown.

"Most especially, I want to thank the fans for traveling through music with me in good and bad times," she went on. "My friends. All the people who believed in me. My family. My mom, who wrote my first song. My children -- Rene Angelil, Nelson and Eddy -- and, most importantly, my beloved husband, whom I know will continue to watch over me from up above. Thank you, Billboard Music Awards for honoring me. ... Rene, this one's for you. The show must go on."

Rene Angelil, Dion's husband and manager, died in January of complications from cancer. He was 73.