Céline Dion pays tribute to Paris terror attack victims at American Music Awards

Céline Dion paid tribute to the victims of the Paris terror attacks with an emotional performance at the 2015 American Music Awards on Sunday (22Nov15).

Oscar winner Jared Leto took the stage to introduce Dion, detailing his band 30 Seconds to Mars' decision to play an impromptu show at the Bataclan venue in May (15).

"It was beautiful peaceful and unforgettable." he said. "What a difference a day makes."

Leto also noted the music executives who were among the 129 killed in the wave of attacks across the capital city, including Mercury Records international product manager Thomas Ayad, who worked with the Eagles of Death Metal as well as stars like Justin Bieber, Keith Richards, and Metallica.

“Like some of you here, we had friends and former colleagues there that night," Leto emphasised.

He then went on to declare "the entire world matters and peace is possible" before directly referencing the Syrian refugee crisis. Leto noted some of America's greatest leaders are the children of people who sought asylum in the United States.

“By the way, many of us here are the sons and daughters of immigrants,” he said. “And Steve Jobs, the son of a Syrian immigrant.”

Dion then performed popular tune Hymne a l'amour, which was made famous by iconic French singer Edith Piaf, while images of Paris flashed on the screen behind her, bringing tears to the eyes of many in the audience.