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Celine Dion shakes statue of late husband's hand before concerts

"Even after he's gone, I still talk to him," the singer said.

By Annie Martin
Celine Dion said she keeps a bronze replica of Rene Angelil's hand backstage at her shows. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
1 of 3 | Celine Dion said she keeps a bronze replica of Rene Angelil's hand backstage at her shows. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

Feb. 6 (UPI) -- Celine Dion shakes a statue of her late husband's hand before taking the stage at each of her concerts.

The 49-year-old singer detailed the ritual in an interview with Stellar magazine, saying she keeps a bronze replica of Rene Angelil's hand backstage at her shows.

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"I shake my husband's hand and knock on wood with him every night before every show," she shared. "Even after he's gone, I still talk to him."

Angelil died at age 73 in January 2016 after a long battle with cancer. Dion performed during Angelil's illness, and resumed her Las Vegas residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace a month after his death.

"My husband wanted me to go back on stage before he passed, that's what he wanted the most. So I went back on stage while he was still alive; he wanted to make sure I could keep going," the singer said of performing during Angelil's illness.

"I guess before he left he wanted to make sure I was fine," she added. "I'm trying to prove to him every day I'm fine. Our kids are growing, we feel strong. We're good."

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Dion and Angelil share three sons, 17-year-old Rene-Charles and 7-year-old twins Nelson and Eddy. She threw Nelson and Eddy a Michael Jackson-themed birthday party in October, saying, "Can't believe you are already 7 years old... Time flies!"

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